WIREDGOV

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 has confirmed.

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.

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.”