Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Deal looks set to go ahead

Indications are that the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Deal looks likely to be approved early next year.

City of Edinburgh Council leader Andrew Burns said: ‘‘The partners that make up the Edinburgh and South East Scotland city region are delighted to have received commitment from the UK and Scottish governments to develop a city region deal that will deliver a step change in economic performance while tacking inequalities.

“Detailed discussions will take place in the new year and we are aiming to have a deal agreed by the spring budget in March 2016.”

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The Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal would cover six local authority areas –  the Borders, Edinburgh, East Lothian, Fife, Midlothian and West Lothian – representing 24 per cent of the population of Scotland and around 30 per cent of the county’s economic output.  

A proposal was submitted to the Scottish and Westminster governments on 4 September by the six councils outlining the deal they are looking to secure, which includes £1bn of government funding.  

The City Deal is designed to increase growth through investment in innovation, skills and infrastructure and it is estimated that if the bid is successful, it could attract an additional £3.2bn worth of private sector investment.