Funding allocated to boost skills, businesses and town centres in Hillingdon
Friday 4 July 2025: Hillingdon Council has secured £1.1 million in the next round of UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF) for 2025/26 to deliver projects that support residents into work, help local businesses grow and make improvements to our town centres.
The council has already invested £2.5 million into projects which enhance communities and provide a boost to the local economy.
The funding has successfully supported:
- 108 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by preparing them to compete for large-scale procurement opportunities through a supplier readiness programme
- 200 SMEs with tailored guidance to help them grow, invest, and expand
- more than 350 residents with skills training and employment support, helping many who were long-term unemployed secure jobs
- the planting of 4,110 trees
- the refurbishment of eight playgrounds and improvements to 3.5 square kilometres of green spaces.
Rob Fletcher, Director of Heart Relocation Ltd, who took part in the supplier readiness programme said: "The support gave us great insights on how to reshape how we were presenting our offer to companies when trying to secure new contracts. We were able to develop a unique story and consistent approach that made us stand out during the procurement process.
"We are now striving to become a bigger local employer, and the supplier readiness programme gave us the confidence to go for new deals that will help us to achieve this".
Heart Relocation went on to win 'Business of the Year' at the 2025 Hillingdon Chamber of Commerce Business Awards and doubled their annual turnover.
The council will use 2025/26 funding to build on these successes, to continue delivering the successful business and employability support, while also investing in delivering improvements to the public realm in the borough's town centres.
It will include a tri-borough supplier readiness programme in partnership with Ealing and Harrow councils with £110,000 to help 95 businesses bid for large scale procurement opportunities.
Using £171,253 to commission a programme of business mentoring and guidance for 100 local small and medium sized enterprises to innovate, build resilience and grow.
Delivering employability support with £160,000 to help residents into work.
Using £665,656 to support the delivery of high street regeneration, including the Uxbridge Vision project, the enhancement of Hayes town centre with a focus on the canal and train station approach, and the extension of the boroughwide shopfront improvement grant to other high streets.
Cllr Steve Tuckwell, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing and Growth, said: "UKSPF has helped to deliver a range of improvements to public spaces and facilities across Hillingdon, while also investing in residents and businesses to help them and the local economy thrive.
"This year's funding has been allocated to maximise the benefits to residents and ensure our successful business support and skills offer is extended, while also bringing our town centre improvement plans in Uxbridge and Hayes to life.
"It's disappointing that the government has indicated this fund will not continue next year, as it enables us to provide vital support to local communities and we urge it to clarify what future arrangements may be in place."
To find out more about our UKSPF programmes visit, www.hillingdon.gov.uk/UKSPF.
