Graham Leadbitter MP has accused the UK Government of “inflicting more austerity on Moray” after the ending of a funding scheme that supported local jobs and business projects.
The Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey MP said the decision to end the Shared Prosperity Funding programme will result in redundancies and the loss of business support, skills development initiatives and digital connectivity projects across the local authority area.
The scheme had supported the equivalent of 13.5 jobs locally, while Moray was also ruled ineligible for Local Growth Funding.
Mr Leadbitter said the outcome means projects that had been helping businesses and local people will now cease.
He also criticised a response from UK Government Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh to a question he raised in the House of Commons on Monday.
During the exchange, he asked whether she was content to preside over the loss of local jobs and services.
Mr Leadbitter described the response as having “reeked of arrogance and ignorance”.
He had previously challenged the UK Government over conditions attached to the Local Growth Funding scheme that prevented towns in Moray from applying for part of a £140 million package, which was later awarded to areas south of Dundee.
Commenting, Graham Leadbitter MP said:
“In the middle of a brutal cost of living crisis, made worse everyday by Westminster, this funding could not be more important, but as has been the case far too often the UK government is instead inflicting more austerity on Moray.
“Jobs, and projects that were supporting businesses, digital connectivity schemes, and local people with skills development will all be lost thanks to the dismissiveness of the Labour government to this part of the country.
“And rather than take responsibility they’ve instead chosen to feebly pass the blame on to others, with a response to my question in Parliament on Monday that reeked of arrogance and ignorance.
“The least they could do is show some sympathy or understanding for the worries those who are likely to be made redundant will feel right now, but instead are treating local people for fools.
“Communities in Scotland have suffered far too much at the hands of uninterested Westminster governments over the years and deserve proper support and investment.
“It’s becoming increasingly clear that the only way that can be directed at communities like this one is with independence.”
The loss of funding comes amid continued debate over how regional economic support is allocated and whether rural and northern communities are receiving a fair share of investment.
