Cornwall's MPs meet with Treasury Ministers to protect future of the Duchy in face of funding cliff-edge

Liberal Democrat MPs Ben Maguire (North Cornwall) and Andrew George (St Ives) have met the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, James Murray MP, along with some of Cornwall's other MPs, to demand clarity on a replacement for the Shared Prosperity Fund before it ends in March.

The meeting followed weeks of letters, parliamentary questions, and direct requests made by Maguire in the House of Commons for urgent talks, coordinated with Cornwall’s MPs and Cornwall Council.

Maguire and George have warned numerous times that Cornwall faces a funding cliff edge without a successor scheme - saying that "pulling the plug" would be devastating for communities and local employers in his constituency. During the meeting, they urged the Treasury to secure a smooth transition that protects jobs, skills and growth across the Duchy, and highlighted how SPF underpins the Good Growth Programme, with its proven track record of supporting businesses, community groups and strategic projects across Cornwall.

Commenting, North Cornwall MP Ben Maguire said: "Cornwall's future funding was at stake. I set out clearly what a cliff-edge in March would mean on the ground, and together we pressed for a firm plan to replace SPF without delay. I'm pleased to be working constructively cross party with other Cornish MPs and Cornwall Council. There is more work to do but I will keep pushing until we have certainty for the Duchy.

"I made the case that SPF has delivered excellent results and value for money through the Good Growth Programme, backing innovative firms and vital community projects like Watt Electric Vehicles, Cleaner Seas Bude and countless others. Cornwall desperately needs continuity and a fair share of national investment, and I will continue to press Ministers ahead of the Budget until we get the clarity our businesses and communities deserve."

MP for St Ives, Andrew George, added: "If the government really wants to promote growth, then ministers can do no better than to get behind Cornwall. I've never felt more optimistic about our potential. From critical minerals to the space sector, from geothermal to our marine sector, from the creative industry to the green peninsula for renewables, Cornwall has so much to offer.

"It would be a massive missed opportunity if Ministers put tribal loyalty above opportunity and need. Cornwall deserves government backing for a public-private partnership."