Levelling up fund ‘absolutely does not’ undermine devolution, say Tories
UK Government's Levelling Up Fund "absolutely does not" undermine devolution, Douglas Ross has said.
The Scottish Conservative leader was speaking on Monday as he toured the grounds of thecrichtontrustindumfries.
The organisation has been one of the beneficiaries of funding from the UK Government's Community Renewal Fund.
SNP ministers have raised concerns that by spending money directly in Scotland, Westminster is seeking to undermine devolution.
But Mr Ross said projects that seek funding "just want the money, they want the funding, and they don't care which government it comes from".
He said: "Devolution is about Scotland having two governments and that's the whole reason for having devolution, that both our governments can work together, for example, on city and region growth deals."
A total of £190 million has gone to Scotland from the funds, the Tories said.
The UK Government investment comprises £172m for Levelling Up Fund bids and £18m for Community Renewal Fund bids.
Asked if local communities are more likely to receive funding if they vote Conservative, and whether that would be fair, Mr Ross pointed to SNPTHE led councils which had not applied to the scheme.
Mr Ross said: "We can see the results here at the Crichton Trust and others across Scotland. Almost £190m so far has been allocated to Scotland.
"But where you have Snprun councils who won't even apply for that, then those communities can't benefit from it."
Mr Ross said he is "very optimistic" his party can finish aheadofanassarwar'sscottish Labour in the local elections.
Recent polling has suggested the Scottish Conservatives could slip into third place behind Mr Sarwar's party.
But Mr Ross said: "We already are ahead of Labour, and Labour have gone backwards at every single election since devolution."
Asked where he stands on coalitions with other parties including Labour, Mr Ross said he is open to working with parties "who want to focus on the local priorities".