THERESA May’s visit to Scotland to sign off on a £1 billion city deal for Edinburgh today will be overshadowed by questions over the deal promised to Dundee and Perthshire.
Tayside MPs have written to the Prime Minister demanding an update on the long-promised investment package for the region.
More than 50 projects are included on a £1.8bn wish-list submitted by Dundee, Fife, Angus and Perth and Kinross councils. They are seeking £826 million over a decade from the Scottish and UK governments.
A spokesman for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Secretary Michael Matheson said the SNP Government was ready to sign off on the deal – but was waiting for the Tories.
“The Tay Cities Deal is crucial to unlocking economic growth across the region and it is hugely concerning to learn that once again the UK Government are set to water down their commitments and fail to match the level of ambition we have for the area,” Matheson said.
“The SNP Government is absolutely committed to maximising the support available to develop local economies – and it is disappointing that, as we have seen with other deals, the Tory Government seems unable to match us in that.”
Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart said it was time for the Prime Minister “to make a firm commitment to the Tayside region”.
He said: “We are already suffering badly as a result of Theresa May’s Brexit – with our soft fruit sector being hit by a lack of migrant workers, and having had Dundee’s Capital of Culture bid torpedoed.
“It’s simply not good enough for them to continue dragging their heels on the Tay Cities Deal – we need this investment and need it now.
“Crucially, we cannot afford for the UK Government to fail to match the Scottish Government’s commitment to our towns and cities.”
Last month Luke Graham, the Tory MP for Ochil and South Perthshire, blamed the Scottish Government for the delay: “I find their hypocrisy staggering,” he told the Courier.
“The SNP Government has not confirmed which projects it will fund, so it is difficult for the UK Government to make its own bid.
“I have spent months trying to secure the best outcome for the region from this deal. The original plans only contained one project for my constituency, and failed to include Perth City Hall.
“I am determined to correct this and I will not have Perth and Kinross lose out due to SNP grievance and point scoring.”
May and Nicola Sturgeon are due to sign off a £1.2bn city deal for Edinburgh and the south-east of Scotland today.
The Scottish and UK governments have each committed to spending £300m.
In her speech in the capital, the Prime Minister is expected to say: “Alongside the Scottish Government and local partners, I will be confirming £300m, as part of a wider £1bn investment by the UK Government through city deals in Scotland, to create jobs and open up new economic opportunities throughout the nation.
“These city deals build on existing strengths to open up new possibilities for the future in Scotland and the whole of the UK.”
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