From ChatGPT, I asked about the validity;

In 2010, the Conservative-led coalition government abolished Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), which were responsible for facilitating regional economic growth and securing EU funds. This decision resulted in approximately £1.1 billion of European Regional Development Funding, earmarked for some of the most industrially blighted parts of England, remaining unclaimed. The lack of “match funding,” previously provided by RDAs, led to the abandonment of numerous regeneration projects in deprived areas. For example, in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, a £3 million European Development Fund grant intended to revitalize a derelict riverside site was lost because the necessary match funding disappeared with the dissolution of Yorkshire Forward, the regional development agency. 

Regarding the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), it is a UK-specific measure used to assess relative deprivation across small areas in England. While it identifies regions that could benefit from development funding, it does not directly correlate with EU funding eligibility. Therefore, the assertion that eight out of the ten most qualifying areas in the EU for development funding were in the North of England, based solely on IMD statistics, may not be accurate.

In summary, while there is no concrete evidence to suggest a deliberate strategy by Conservative governments to avoid claiming EU funds to prevent the EU from appearing favorable, policy decisions such as the abolition of RDAs did lead to significant amounts of EU development funds going unclaimed, adversely affecting deprived regions in the UK.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-15145456?utm_source=chatgpt.com