Question reference: S5W-15383
- Asked by: Richard Lochhead, MSP for Moray, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 19 March 2018
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Current status: Answered by Keith Brown on 17 April 2018
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what progress it is making with the UK Government regarding growth deals, including that being discussed with The Moray Council.
Answer
The Scottish Government has already agreed deals for the Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness City Regions, identifying over £1bn of investment over the next 10 to 20 years. A deal for the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region will be concluded soon. In addition, we are committed to agreeing deals for the Tay Cities Region, Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region, the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal and every remaining area of Scotland, including Moray.
In line with a recommendation made by the Local Government and Communities Committee, we want the UK Government to confirm that they will join us in agreeing a timetable to deliver a growth deal covering every part of Scotland. Scottish Government officials are engaged in on-going dialogue towards this goal with local colleagues in Ayrshire, Argyll and Bute and Falkirk, as well as on-going discussions with Western Isles Council, Shetland Council and Orkney Council on their Island Deal proposals.
The Moray Growth Deal is progressing with a first tranche of strategic outline business cases submitted to the Scottish Government by Moray Council on 9 March. These drafts are currently being examined by my officials who last discussed them with Moray Council colleagues on 28 March as part of an on-going process to help the Council to refine and develop its plans.