The Westminster Tory government is short-changing regions across Scotland by millions in their contributions to city region deals representing hundreds of pounds for households in the constituencies of Tory MPs.
Figures from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) show that in city region deals in the North East, Highlands, Tayside and Fife and the South of Scotland, the Scottish Government has committed more to the regions than the UK government.
For example, the Aberdeen City Region deal, covering both Aberdeen city and Aberdeenshire, will benefit from £379million of investment from the Scottish Government.
Whereas, the UK government has only committed to £125m, £254m less than the Scottish Government.
That represents £1,125 per household in the region.
In the Borderlands region – covering Scottish Borders and Dumfries & Galloway – and area covered by constituency Tory MPs and MSPs – the Scottish Government invested £85million whilst the UK government allocated £20million less.
A similar pattern also occurs in the Highlands, Stirling & Clackmannanshire, Tayside and Fife with deficits representing hundreds of pounds per household across those regions.
Commenting, SNP MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine Audrey Nicoll (pictured) said:
“This is just typical for the Tories, their lip service to investing in the regions of Scotland always falls short and it shows.
“These figures are just another example of how they think they can do what they like in Scotland and get away with it.
“And it proves that, even as the Tories try to trample on devolved responsibilities, Westminster is simply incapable of delivering for Scotland.
“It also highlights how every region across Scotland is better off with the SNP, the party that is willing to go the extra mile with investment in areas of the economy that are important to Scotland and its people.
“Boris Johnson’s Tories talk a lot about levelling up, but this shows they don’t put their money where their mouths are and level up where it is needed the most.
“It will be the same old Tories focusing on investment in the South East of England instead of communities in Scotland.
“Just as we saw in the 1990s when money was moved from the north of Scotland to Tory seats in the south east.
“Scottish Tory MPs have also sat back idly as these city deals have been announced and not stood up once for their areas in the North East and the South of Scotland.
“They do not stand up for their constituents and are nothing but Boris Johnson’s spokespeople in Scotland.
“This goes to show again that you cannot trust the Tories to invest in our vital industries in Scotland.
“They have already sold out other vital interests in the north and south of Scotland like fishing, farming and food and drink sector.
‘It is becoming clearer that the only way to protect Scotland from the Tories and prioritise investment for Scotland is by becoming an independent country.”
