Scottish Secretary announces £25 million for new Growth Deal
Argyll and Bute latest region to benefit from UK Government funding
Port Bannatyne, Isle of Bute
Secretary of State for Scotland Alister Jack has today [2 October 2019] announced £25 million for a new Growth Deal covering Argyll and Bute.
The move is the next step towards completing the UK Government’s ambitious City and Growth deals programme in Scotland.
To date, the UK Government has committed £1.4 billion to the programme, which will create tens of thousands of jobs over the next 10 to 15 years.
In July, Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledged £300 million to ensure all parts of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are covered by city or growth deals.
Deals for Falkirk and the Scottish islands - completing the rollout in Scotland - will be announced in the near future.
As with previous deals, the UK Government commitment is expected to lead to additional investment by the Scottish Government and local partners.
The UK Government will work with partners to agree and develop an exciting set of projects that will boost the local economy and deliver skilled jobs.
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said:
Our City and Growth deal programme is already having a transformative effect across Scotland.
In Aberdeen, for example, the city deal-funded Oil and Gas Technology Centre, is at the heart of efforts to maximise the continued potential of the North Sea oil and gas industry.
Among scores of other projects we are supporting Edinburgh’s hugely exciting new concert hall, the Dunard Centre, and we are funding a Tartan Centre in Stirling which will attract visitors from around the world.
We are investing heavily in research and development in our universities and, together, these projects can transform the Scottish economy.
I was delighted when the Prime Minister committed to completing the programme in Scotland and I’m extremely pleased today to announce a real boost for Argyll and Bute.
Strengthening the Scottish economy is a key priority for us. The UK Government is delivering for Scotland.
The Argyll and Bute deal follows a series of UK Government announcements that will support the Scottish economy.
They include:
- A £1.25 billion contract to build the Royal Navy’s new Type 31 frigate, which will secure jobs at Rosyth.
- A £211 million boost in support for farmers, which resolves a long-standing issue over Common Agricultural Policy allocations.
- Bringing the COP26 international climate change conference to Glasgow.
- Contracts for Difference support for six more offshore and island wind farms in Scotland.
In addition, it was announced at the weekend that the Scottish Government’s Budget will receive an extra £290 million as a result of a new hospital building programme in England. The sum was on top of an additional £1.2 billion in the recent spending review.
To strengthen the Union and Scotland’s place in the UK, the Government has:
- Created the new post of Minister for the Union, held by the Prime Minister. The move will ensure that policy decisions across Government work to strengthen the Union.
- Established a Union Unit within Downing Street. The unit is tasked with reviewing the impact of all policy proposals on the Union, ensuring all nations and regions are taken into consideration.
Public spending was £13,862 per head in Scotland in 2017/18, compared with a UK average of £12,090. The difference contributes to a Union dividend worth nearly £2,000 for all Scots.
UK Government funding has been announced for the following City and Growth deals in Scotland:
- Glasgow City Region City Deal
- Aberdeen City Region Deal
- Inverness and Highland City Region Deal
- Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal
- Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal
- Tay Cities Region City Deal
- Ayrshire Growth Deal
- Moray Growth Deal
- Argyll and Bute Growth Deal