The Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray, has confirmed that following the Autumn Budget, UK Government investments in Scottish City Region and Growth Deals will reach £1.5 billion. 

Added to the £1.6 billion that the Scottish Government has also pledged to invest, more than £3 billion will now go into the City Region and Growth Deals programme north of the border.

Of the UK Government contribution, £527 million was part of a nearly £1.4 billion package of local growth investment signed off by the Chancellor, with a further £840 million to go towards dozens of local growth projects and programmes across Scotland.

Giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Economy and Fair Work Committee this week, Murray said: “This is our Plan for Change in action, and this funding will drive economic growth and improve living standards right across Scotland.

The Scottish Secretary was the first cabinet minister since July’s General Election to appear before a Holyrood committee, having been invited to give evidence on the UK Government’s plans for the City Region and Growth Deals programme, which is delivered jointly in Scotland with the Scottish Government.

“We have changed the way we do business and work with the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament,” said Murray.

“We have reset those relationships to ensure we can work together to deliver for people in Scotland. That means genuine partnership working with the Scottish Government, and the City Region and Growth Deals programme, delivered jointly across Scotland, is an excellent example of that.”

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So far, funding from City Region and Growth Deals has included £125 million from the UK Government for projects in Aberdeenshire such as the Net Zero Technology Centre, money for the Montrose Drone Port to harness drones in support of public and offshore services, and over £22 million invested into the Data-Driven Innovation initiative in the Edinburgh region, helping to support emerging tech, including AI and robotics.

At the Autumn Budget, the Chancellor confirmed additional funding for the Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal to support Grangemouth refinery workers and their communities, and gave the go-ahead for the signing of the Argyll and Bute Growth Deal, which will see £70 million invested in the region.