Infrastructure Investment Plan 2015: progress report 2017

Cities / Regions

Cities and their regions are the engines of our economy. The Scottish Government is committed to working with all our cities to unlock investment whether that is individually or collectively, and whether that is through a City Region Deal, one of the Scottish Government devolved initiatives to stimulate growth and deliver infrastructure investment, or a combination of measures. The Scottish Government has consistently supported deals for all of Scotland’s cities and is a full partner in all four City Region Deals agreed in Scotland.

Glasgow City Region Deal
The Scottish Government is a full partner in the £1.13 billion Glasgow City Region City Deal supporting all three strands investing £500 million over 20 years (2015-16 until 2034-35) to the Infrastructure Investment Fund. The UK Government are also investing £500 million over the same period and the regional partners £130 million.

The Deal empowers Glasgow and its City Region partners to identify, manage and deliver a programme of investment to stimulate economic growth and create jobs in their area, spreading the benefits of economic growth across Glasgow and Clyde Valley, and ensuring deprived areas benefit from this growth. Additional to the infrastructure investment, the deal includes a £72 million life science and business support strand and a £24 million employability strand.

The Deal which was signed August 2014 is now well underway and the Glasgow City Region Cabinet has approved a number of projects. The World-leading Imaging Centre of Excellence supported by the City Region Deal opened in 2017.

Aberdeen City Region Deal
The Scottish Government is a full partner in the £250 million Aberdeen City Region Deal and along with the UK Government have committed to investing up to £125 million each through the region deal with Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils and Opportunity North East. The Scottish Government has also committed to invest a further £254 million over the same 10 year period (2016 until 2026) as the City Region Deal to deliver further economic benefits.

The deal paves the way for investment in innovation, internationalisation, digital connectivity and infrastructure across the region. At the heart of this deal is the development of a new £180 million industry-led Oil and Gas Technology Centre.

The deal was signed in November 2016 and is now underway. The Scottish Government is working together with the UK Government and regional partners during the implementation phase to make the proposals within this deal a reality. The Oil and Gas Technology Centre has just celebrated its first year anniversary of operation. During this time, the centre has established 72 projects in support of its aim to drive innovation in the oil and gas industry, and accelerate new technologies to help unlock the full potential of the North Sea.

Inverness City Deal
The Scottish Government is a full partner in the £315 million Inverness City Deal and has committed to investing up to £135 million in the deal with the UK Government providing up to £53 million and the Council and regional partners a further £127 million over 10 years (2016 until 2026).

The deal will support a step change in digital connectivity, digital healthcare, skills, innovation and infrastructure in the region.

The deal was signed in January 2017 and is now underway. The Scottish Government is working together with the UK Government and regional partners moving into the implementation phase to make the proposals within this deal a reality.

Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal
The Scottish Government is a full partner in the £1.1 billion Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal and along with the UK Government has committed to investing up to £300 million each in the 15 year deal (2018 until 2032). Regional partners, including the six local authorities and the region’s universities and private sector, will contribute £501 million.

The deal will address inclusion issues and create new economic opportunities. The region’s new skills programme alongside improved transport and housing provision will ensure that businesses and communities across the region will benefit and will be given the chance to take advantage of these exciting new opportunities.

The Heads of Terms was signed on 20 July 2017. The Scottish Government is working together with the UK Government and the regional partners towards a full Deal Document and the implementation of the Deal.