Despite its long gestation I suspect most would argue that the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is yet to prove itself a worthy successor to the EU funds it was intended to replace. 

Sold on the prospect of increased flexibility, local responsiveness and reduced bureaucracy, we have instead seen opaque processes, serial delays and accusations of politicisation.  For those attempting to work with local authorities in the development of programmes there has been added complexity with vastly different rules of engagement from area to area, a lack of time and capacity to think strategically and an absence of guidance leading some councils to introduce reporting and compliance regimes that are every bit as complex and stifling as the ones they replaced.