[ad_1]
Theresa May and Nicola Sturgeon are set to sign off on a £1.2bn city deal for Scotland on Tuesday (Image: GETTY)
The Prime Minister is visiting the Scottish capital at the start of the city’s annual Fringe festival, and will outline her commitment to Scotland’s development as concerns surrounding post-Brexit prosperity mount.
Among Mrs May’s key initiatives will be a £1.2billion city deal for Edinburgh and south-east Scotland, which will be officially signed off by the Prime Minister and Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Tuesday.
The initiative will support cutting-edge research at Edinburgh’s three universities, improve housing and transport links, and help build a new concert hall.
Speaking ahead of her visit to Scotland, Mrs May said: “I am pleased to be in Edinburgh for the city’s annual celebration of the arts and culture.
These city deals build on existing strengths to open up new possibilities for the future in Scotland
“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.”
She noted that alongside the Scottish Parliament and local partners, the UK Government will commit £300million as part of the project.
Commenting on the goals of the investment, she added: “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.
“They will create jobs and open up new economic opportunities throughout the nation.”
Theresa May stated the deal will help ‘create jobs and open up new economic opportunities’ (Image: GETTY)
The Government will also develop six new science centres across the UK, of which two will be in the Scottish cities of Dundee and Glasgow.
Mrs May commented on the initiative, stating: “Today I have also announced a further £13 million for investment in six science centres in the UK, including Dundee and Glasgow, to drive innovation in science and technology.”
She noted that the investment drive will play a key role in her bid to spread prosperity across the UK following the UK’s departure from the EU.
She said: “As we leave the EU, the UK Government is working in partnership with business, academia and the devolved administrations to create more good jobs and spread economic prosperity across the country.
Nicola Sturgeon stated the deal will help make the region ‘one of the fairest in the country’ (Image: GETTY)
Theresa May meets Angela Merkel at Western Balkans Summit
Tue, July 10, 2018
Theresa May laughed with Angela Merkel after meeting the German chancellor only hours after Brexit chaos resignations
REUTERS
1 of 15
Theresa May has met Angela Merkel only hours after the Cabinet’s Brexit turmoil
“By making the most of our country’s assets and the talents of all of our people, we can build a brighter future for the whole UK.”
The initiatives were welcomed by Scottish officials, who noted the investment will allow Scotland to “unlock the region’s potential”, while enhancing job prospects for Scottish citizens.
Adam McVey, City of Edinburgh Council leader, 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 data-driven 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 capitalise on the opportunities technology and innovation creates.
Theresa May announced a further £13million of investment in six science centres across the UK (Image: GETTY)
“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.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also declared that the deal will allow the region to become “one of the fairest and most inclusive in the country”.
She said: “Edinburgh and the south east of Scotland is an area of huge importance to the Scottish economy.
“The region contains over a quarter of Scotland’s population and contributes £33 billion to the Scottish and UK economies.
“The Scottish Government’s £300 million investment in the City Region Deal will contribute towards 41,000 new homes, 21,000 jobs and improve the skills of an estimated 14,700 people across the region.
“Our investments will ensure businesses and communities from across the region benefit from the opportunities created by this the city region deal.
“Taken together these projects will help the region continue to thrive and grow, fulfilling our ambitions for the region to be one of the fairest and most inclusive areas in the country.”
[ad_2]
