The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Capital £1bn deal could see millions roll into Fife
South-east of the kingdom set to benefit from public and private cash
Fife is poised for a multi-million-pound boost from a £1 billion package for the Scottish capital.
The Edinburgh and South East City Deal – which includes the kingdom – is being unveiled today, when it will be hailed as a driver of jobs and prosperity for “decades to come”.
The UK and Scottish governments are each putting £300m into the pot, with more cash coming from local government and private sources.
Lord Duncan, the Scotland Office minister, said people “should be dancing in the streets” about the cash coming through the city deal, which he believes could bring a total of £1bn of investment to the area.
David Mundell, the Scottish Secretary, said the deal will “boost the economy of Edinburgh and the whole of south-east Scotland for decades to come”.
“The Edinburgh deal will focus on the capital’s strengths of new technology, innovation and culture,” he added.
“It will make a real difference to the lives of people in the region, creating jobs and prosperity and driving investment.”
City deals are financial packages funded by the UK and Scottish governments that are designed to trigger large sums of private investment into urban and surrounding areas.
A Tay Cities Deal is also in the pipeline, with progress expected to accelerate now the Edinburgh one has been signed off. That deal also takes in north-east Fife.
Economy Secretary Keith Brown said: “The Scottish Government has been fully committed to this and I am very pleased that we have been able to get to the stage of achieving such an ambitious deal for the region.
“The Scottish Government will be investing in the region’s workforce and will invest up to £25m for an integrated regional employability and skills programme.
“Providing decent housing is a priority for the Scottish Government so we will invest £65m into new housing for the region.
“We will also be investing in innovation and that will focus on ensuring businesses and communities across the region can benefit from opportunities through world-class business infrastructure.