UK Government confirms nearly £1.4bn for local projects in Scotland

Nearly £1.4bn will be spent on dozens of local growth projects in Scotland over the next 10 years, the UK Government has said.

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray has written to all 32 local authorities to confirm the greenlit projects.

Mr Murray announced £160 million each for investment zones in Glasgow and the North East, £26 million each for the Cromarty and Forth freeports, and £26 million for the Fair Isle Ferry in Shetland.

Nearly £39 million will be allocated for the Amids (Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland) South transport project in Renfrewshire while £15 million will be spent on the regeneration of Drumchapel town centre in Glasgow, and £18 million will be spent on the Elgin city masterplan.

Ten areas will receive £20 million each as part of the long term plan for towns programme.

Those include North Ayrshire, Inverclyde, East Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, Moray, Dumfries and Galloway, Angus, Aberdeenshire and Orkney.

The UK Government said the cash is in addition to the £1.5 billion confirmed for Holyrood this year and another £3.4 billion next year.

The Scottish Secretary said growing the economy is a key mission for the Scotland Office.

Mr Murray said: “The Chancellor delivered a Budget that will herald an era of growth for Scotland, rebuild our public services and begin a decade of national renewal.

“This is a historic Budget for Scotland which chooses investment over decline, and delivers on the promise that there would be no return to austerity.

“I am pleased that we are now able to confirm our commitment to invest nearly £1.4 billion into important local projects across Scotland over the next 10 years.

“Over the summer I wrote to every local authority to set out our commitment to building strong and trusted relationships so that together we can deliver the change our country needs.

“I am pleased to be able to write to them again to confirm their funding allocations.

“I look forward to working with Scotland’s local authorities in the coming weeks and months on a renewed approach for delivering the UK Government’s missions in all parts of Scotland.”