Call for UK Government to stop ‘dragging its feet’

Holyrood minister accuses London of ‘stonewalling’

An SNP minister has accused Theresa May’s government of “dragging its feet” over a city deal that could unlock millions of pounds for Fife.

Keith Brown, the economy secretary, said his requests for an update from senior members of the Conservative administration on the progress of the Edinburgh and South East City Deal – which includes Fife – have been stonewalled.

He warned the delays could cost Scotland’s economy millions of pounds worth of investment.

Mr Brown said: “The UK Government must stop dragging its feet over this very important issue.

“Given the complete lack of engagement to date, we need urgent reassurances from the UK Government that they remain as committed to agreeing a jointly funded deal that secures the future prosperity and growth of Scotland’s capital city and region as we are, and are ready to enter into negotiations immediately.

“The repercussions of further delays will not only deprive businesses and communities in and around the capital of extra investment in innovation, culture and housing in the short term, but also raise concerns about the UK Government’s commitment to investing a transformative sum in the final deal.”

City deals in Scotland are financial packages funded by the UK and Scottish Governments that are designed to trigger large sums of investment into urban and surrounding areas.

Earlier this week, Chris Law, the SNP MP for Dundee West, issued a demand to the Prime Minister to commit to the £1.84 billion Tay Cities Deal.

Sources in the UK Government said officials from both governments have met regularly and that Mr Brown was offered a meeting with a business minister when the secretary of the state could not meet him earlier this month in London.

A UK Government spokesman said: “The Edinburgh City Deal is currently still under negotiation with the Scottish Government, councils and local partners, and will have the potential to create meaningful growth and innovation in Scotland’s capital.

“The UK Government is determined to ensure that this is true partnership working between the UK and Scottish Government and will provide substantial investment in Edinburgh and the south-east.”