£1.2 billion deal for Edinburgh and the south-east to be signed off by May during Festival trip

Theresa May will today formally sign off a £1.2 billion city deal for Edinburgh and the south-east of Scotland, with both the Scottish and UK governments committing £300 million.

Two of the six new science centres being developed across the UK will be located north of the Border, the Prime Minister will also confirm. Dundee and Glasgow will benefit from some of the £13 million the UK government is investing in this.

The Edinburgh deal will support cutting-edge research at the capital’s three universities, improving housing and transport links and helping to build a new concert hall. Mrs May is visiting Edinburgh as the capital’s annual Festival season gets under way.

Speaking ahead of the visit, the Tory leader said: “I am pleased to be in Edinburgh today for the city’s annual celebration of the arts and culture.

“From the Fringe, to the International Festival, festivals dedicated to science, books and storytelling, the city is truly a cultural inspiration for the rest of the UK and the world.

“Alongside the Scottish Government and local partners, I will be confirming £300m, as part of a wider £1 billion investment by the UK government through city deals in Scotland, to create jobs and open up new economic opportunities throughout the nation.

“These city deals build on existing strengths to open up new possibilities for the future in Scotland and the whole of the UK as part of our modern industrial strategy. “She added: “Today I have also announced a further £13m for investment in six science centres in the UK, including Dundee and Glasgow, to drive innovation in science and technology.

City of Edinburgh Council leader Adam Mcvey said: “The agreement of this ambitious deal heralds the beginning of a transformative and inclusive programme which will help share our success right across the region.

“This investment will allow us to unlock the region’s potential to become a global powerhouse in datadriven innovation through our exceptional research and development activities, whilst the commitment to a skills programme will enhance job prospects for everyone and allow us to cap- italise on the opportunities technology and innovation creates.

“We will also greatly enhance the region’s infrastructure through significant funding for transport projects and housing development to build a vibrant region for people and businesses to thrive in.”

Linda Leuchars, chief executive of Dundee Science Centre said: “We are absolutely delighted to have secured this new funding which will allow us to take all the work we’ve done over the last 18 years to the next level.

“We are already proud to be leaders in the field of community engagement but now it’s about exploring where we can take that.”