To ask the Minister for the Economy for an update on the current status of the Go Succeed business support service, given that its UK Shared Prosperity funding is due to conclude in March 2026.

Dr Archibald

Go Succeed is an important part of the business support landscape and provides essential advice and guidance to anyone looking to start or grow a business. It is a council-led service and is funded through the Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF). It was expected that the successor of that funding would be transferred to the Executive following the British Government's spending review announcement in June. I met Enterprise NI in September to discuss the future of Go Succeed. While I am ready to establish a co-design group to consider improvements to the service, clarity is needed on its future funding position. I am concerned that the new local growth fund appears to be heavily skewed towards capital, with only 33% resource funding. That is significantly lower than for the Shared Prosperity Fund, which was 75% resource-based. That risks significant harm to projects such as Go Succeed that are delivering important services currently funded using resource under the SPF. I am keen to ensure that there is continuity of service and that any disruption to businesses and entrepreneurs due to a gap in funding is avoided. My officials are urgently coordinating with the Department of Finance, councils and other stakeholders to determine next steps.

Dr Archibald

I agree with the Member. It is absolutely regrettable and disgraceful that we are in this position again. When the European social fund (ESF) ended, there was a cliff edge, and we said that we did not want to see that again. I have consistently made that case, as has my colleague the Minister of Finance, to the British Government, and I know that there is unanimity around the Chamber on the issue. My priority is to ensure the continuation of the funding of Go Succeed from the local growth fund. It is vital that the service is not interrupted or delayed because of the lack of information that is available to us. Therefore, I continue to engage at ministerial level, as I said, to ensure that such a scenario is avoided.

Mr McGuigan

I welcome the Minister's response and the fact that her priority is to see no interruption to services. Will she give her assessment of the impact of Go Succeed to date?

Dr Archibald

Since its launch in November 2023, Go Succeed has demonstrated a significant impact across the North, empowering entrepreneurs and small businesses with tailored support and expert guidance. It has helped thousands of individuals to turn ideas into viable enterprises, contributing to local economic growth and job creation. It has had a transformative effect at local level, and I am particularly pleased to see strong engagement from female entrepreneurs who have been supported through the service. I have had the opportunity to visit and meet businesses that have been supported by Go Succeed, and I have been really encouraged by the feedback that they have provided. The mode of delivery, working alongside councils, local enterprise agencies and other partners, is a really good example of collaborative working. It is the type of initiative that the local economic partnerships are based on and is a demonstration of how successful that approach can be.