The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
SNP in plea for finalisation of Tay Cities Deal
Letter accuses Westminster of delaying multi-million-pound investment
Tayside’s SNP politicians have written to the Scottish secretary, pleading for the Tay Cities Deal to be finalised.
They claim delays to the agreement are a result of the UK Government.
The heads of terms of the multimillion-pound investment plan for Dundee, Perth, Angus and north Fife were agreed in November 2018.
The Scottish Office said when the deal was signed off, it was agreed between Westminster, Holyrood and local partnerships the deal would be funded over 15 years.
A source at the office said local partners now want the money to be handed over in a 10-year period, which is causing the delay.
Pete Wishart MP said: “I have written to the secretary of state to demand that unnecessary and unhelpful delays with the deal are resolved at pace.
“My colleagues and I want this hugely important package of funding to be signed off with immediate effect.
“Every delay, whether that is now days or weeks jeopardises the economic prosperity of the region. It presents a threat to jobs and has the potential to negatively impact social wellbeing of those who live across Tayside and Fife. This must be resolved now.”
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “The excitement that followed the announcement of the Tay Cities Deal has now given way to uncertainty and confusion.
“The heads of terms were agreed in November 2018, and the Scottish
Government has been ready to finalise the deal for a full 12 months. However, the UK Government has delayed this process, thereby jeopardising projects and potentially blunting the transformational impact that this deal could have across Tayside.”
A UK Government spokesperson said: “All partners are working to progress the deal, which will bring a huge, long-term boost to the area’s