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Teesside could lose tens of millions of pounds in European Union funding following the vote to leave.

The figures have emerged which shows some of the UK’s poorest areas could lose up to £8.6bn in European aid .

But experts fear the much-needed cash could disappear unless the government has “comprehensive plans” in place to boost regional economies after Brexit.

Analysis of the European Structural and Investment Fund by the independent Joseph Rowntree Foundation shows the funding allocated to each Local Enterprise Partnership area in the UK.

Regions that benefit most from EU funding were among those that resoundingly backed Brexit, including Teesside, where more than 60% of people voted to leave.

The analysis shows that between 2014 and 2020 that Teesside was due to receive £162m - or £243 per person.

Only Cornwall and Wales - which also voted for Brexit - get more funding per person.

In the 11 Local Enterprise Partnership areas in the Northern Powerhouse, around £2bn is at stake.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation says it is vital the UK holds on to the allocated cash and it is not “clawed back”.

Helen Barnard, of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said: “The referendum has exposed the extent to which people in the poorest places feel shut out from the benefits of the country’s prosperity.

“These figures show the challenge in ensuring they do not fall further behind from lost EU funding after 2020.”

She said, without action, initiatives such as the Northern Powerhouse “risk withering after Brexit”.

Among the projects previously part-funded by EU cash was the regeneration of Redcar seafront and Digital City in Middlesbrough.

Council leaders are seeking urgent assurances from the Government that town halls will still get the £5.3bn in EU regeneration funding allocated up to 2020.

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The Local Government Association is assessing the impact Brexit will have on local communities at its annual conference in Bournemouth.

During the referendum, Leave campaigners said the money was simply UK taxpayers’ cash recycled through the EU.

Lord Porter, LGA chairman, said: “Communities also need assurances from the Government that they will still receive billions of pounds worth of EU funding to create jobs and boost growth.”

The Tees Valley Combined Authority - the body responsible for delivering economic growth on Teesside - said Teesside has been a long term beneficiary of European funding.

Dave Budd, chairman of the Tees Valley Combined Authority and Middlesbrough Mayor, said: “Tees Valley secured a commitment to £169.8m over the current EU funding period.



"This is vital for the Tees Valley economy and forms a key element of our Strategic Economic Plan. We are calling on Government to guarantee that any loss of this critical investment is replaced by additional devolved funding."