Question reference: S5W-30658
- Asked by: Tom Mason, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 13 July 2020 Registered interest
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Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 20 July 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with local authorities and partner organisations taking forward City Region Deals to focus the work of these on enabling economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answer
Investment through City and Regional Growth Deals will be a vital enabler of economic recovery. We are working with local authorities; their regional partners; and the UK Government to ensure all Deals deliver on creating high quality jobs and supporting business.
I met with Iain Stewart MP, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland, on 29 June to discuss the Deals programme. We discussed how the Deals can support economic recovery and the need for an early decision from the UK Government on whether it will match our commitment to accelerate progress with those Deals yet to be signed, including the Tay Cities Region Deal which covers Angus and Dundee in the North East.
Alongside this, the Scottish City Region and Growth Deal Delivery Board, led by senior officials from both the Scottish and UK Governments, has written to and held a series of calls with the local Programme Management Offices for all Deals to discuss the impact of COVID-19. Officials continue to have regular meetings with regional partners to discuss implementation of the Deals programme, including examination of how Deal investment can contribute to revitalisation of local and regional economies.