The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)  provides £2.6 billion for local investment from 2022 to 2025 and aims to boost productivity, improve public services, restore community pride, and empower local leaders. In the North of Tyne area (Newcastle, Northumberland and North Tyneside),  £51.2 million was allocated across three investment priorities and the Multiply numeracy programme.

Multiply is the government's £560 million programme to help transform the lives of adults across the UK across 3 themes: Community Engagement, Family Learning and Numeracy Skills for the Workplace. The North of Tyne Combined Authority (now part of the North East Combined Authority) commissioned an independent evaluation to assess the programme’s impact, effectiveness, and lessons learned. The interim evaluation used a mixed-method approach, including desk research, surveys, interviews, and engagement with stakeholders.

In the North of Tyne area, the programme was administered by the North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA), later succeeded by the North East Combined Authority. The region received £51.2 million in UKSPF funding, including £4.1 million for the Multiply programme focused on adult numeracy. 

The final evaluation of the North of Tyne UKSPF programme, covering April 2022 to March 2025, presents a comprehensive picture of a programme that delivered substantial economic and social value under challenging condition

This study offers a deep dive evaluation of the North East High Potential Start Up (HPSU) programme. 

This study explored the design and delivery of the support, uptake and effectiveness of the support, and the broader effects on the ecosystem.

Read our evaluation of the joint innovation support programme between the innovation super network and the North East Local Enterprise Partnership

Read the evaluation of the joint  support programme between the North East Local Enterprise Partnership and South Tyneside Council