¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute is one of a small number of council areas in Scotland to receive levelling up funding - £20 million – announced in yesterday’s UK Government Autumn Statement.
Leader of ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥, Councillor Robin Currie said:
“This is very welcome news. Economic success for ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute matters for all of us who live and work here, and, also for the wider national economy, given the area’s contribution to key business sectors, such as tourism or food and drink. To deliver local and national benefit, ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute needs local and national support.
There had been announcements about levelling up funding the day before the Autumn Statement and it’s fair to say that I was extremely disappointed not to see ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute included at that stage.
We take every opportunity to promote ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute’s case for investment and support. This included me raising the need for funding for ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute as an island authority with Michael Gove (*) at the UK Islands Forum in October.
I am very pleased therefore that ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute is one of just four Levelling Up Partnerships announced for Scotland in the Autumn Statement.
We look forward to working with the UK Government in turning this significant investment into economic growth.â€
Levelling up investment is available to deliver capital projects, not to fund day-to-day council services. It must be spent by 2025/26.
Work will begin on developing potential projects for delivery once further detail about any criteria for using the investment is available.
(*) RT HON Michael Gove MP
Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Minister for Intergovernmental Relations