Edinburgh city deal investment confirmed
Edinburgh fringe - credit edinburghblog
The UK Government will today confirm a £300m investment in the Edinburgh and South East Scotland city region deal, which has been matched by the Scottish Government.
The deal, announced in George Osborne's Spring budget last year, is designed to support innovation, infrastructure, housing, tourism and culture.
It is the fourth city deal project in Scotland after Glasgow, Inverness and Aberdeen.
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Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell said the funding would concentrate on Edinburgh's strengths, including the digital economy and universities.
"It will make a real difference to the lives of people in the region, creating jobs and prosperity and driving investment," he said.
“The Edinburgh deal brings UK Government investment in UK City Deals in Scotland so far to more than £1 billion, and demonstrates clearly the value to Scotland’s economy of being part of a strong United Kingdom.”
Scotland's Economy Secretary Keith Brown said the deal is expected to generate 21,000 new jobs across the Lothians, Fife and the Borders.
The Scottish Government will invest £25m in an employability scheme for the region, £140m on transport infrastructure and £65m on new housing, he said.
Culture investment will include a new concert hall in St Andrew's square, which will provide a home for the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
“Taken together these projects will help the region continue to thrive and grow, fulfilling our ambitions for the region to be one of the fairest and most inclusive areas in the country,” said Brown.
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