The Scottish Government will support the creation of regional economic partnerships across Scotland as a vehicle to drive inclusive economic growth, Economy Secretary Keith Brown confirmed at Holyrood yesterday afternoon.
As outlined in the Enterprise and Skills Review, the expansion of the regional economic policy beyond city deals will pave the way for regional economic partnerships for every part of Scotland.
Edinburgh already features high on this list as the South East Scotland City Region Deal was signed earlier in the summer when the First Secretary Damian Green came to Edinburgh with Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell to meet with leaders of all six councils involved. The Edinburgh City Region Deal will mean extra spending of around £1 billion in Edinburgh and the areas which lie next to the capital.
Council Leader Adam McVey, said: “The announcement is to be welcomed and I would like to echo Keith Brown’s comments on how delivery of city region deals is an opportunity to galvanise partners to optimise economic growth. Work is ongoing to do just that in the South-East of Scotland including work with the universities and the business sector to ensure that we deliver a £1.1bn deal for the area.
“A project team is in the process of being set up to provide the support required for this hugely important project.
“The ambitious Deal will drive investment and address inclusion across the area as well as creating around 21,000 new jobs.”
For further information on the South-East Scotland City Region Deal see the Accelerating Growth website.
The idea behind the deals is to accelerate growth in the capital and the wider region and tackling deprivation and inequality at the same time.
The funding includes £20 million for the planned concert hall in St Andrew Square and £140 million for the improvements needed at Sheriffhall Roundabout.
The Scottish Government is committed to securing Heads of Terms agreements for Stirling and Clackmannanshire and the Tay Cities Regions (Angus, Dundee, Fife, and Perth & Kinross) and to work to secure the first regional deal in Scotland for the three Ayrshire Councils.
Confirming the move during a statement to Parliament, Mr Brown said: “City region deals act as enablers to drive inclusive economic growth by enhancing alignment between national, regional and local ambitions, strategies and resources. They bring in crucial investment and engagement from the private sector, and pave the way for regional economic partnerships, focused on delivering long-term economic growth.
“Having committed over £1 billion over the next 10-20 years for city region deals, it is now vital that we expand our regional economic policy to go beyond our cities and I am calling on the UK Government to work with us on regional deals across the country.
“The Scottish Government is driving this work forward and I am urging the UK Government to match our commitment to transform Scotland’s regional economies.”
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