Scottish Government pledges £200m for Tay Cities Region Deal

Perth - Image credit: Eugene Birchill/Wikimedia Commons

The Scottish Government has pledged £200m of funding for a Tay Cities deal and called on the UK Government to do the same in its budget on Monday.

Should the UK Government provide funding above £200m, the Scottish Government has said it will match the amount.

The proposed deal would provide a funding for investment in infrastructure and the economy in Dundee, Perth and the surrounding areas of Perthshire, Angus and the north of Fife.

The total funding being sought by the four councils and their partners is £1.84bn, of which they want £826m to come from the Scottish and UK governments and public agencies over 10 years.

The aim is to create up to 15,000 jobs for the region in areas such as tourism, food and drink, the creative industries, ecology, digital technologies, decommissioning, and biomedical sciences.

Proposed developments include the UK’s first purpose-built comic museum, creation of a major centre for oil and gas decommissioning around Dundee, Montrose and Methil, the Cross-Tay Link Road in Perth and establishing the region as a key location for the cybersecurity sector.

Infrastructure Secretary, Michael Matheson said: “Scotland’s cities and their regions are the engines of our economy.

“That is why I can confirm that the Scottish Government has agreed to invest £200 million in the Tay Cities Region, to deliver significant long-term economic benefits.

“A Tay Cities Region Deal of this scale has the power to build on the area’s significant strengths and expertise.

“I expect City Region Deals to be funded on a 50:50 basis and I call on the UK Government to match our commitment and make this a £400 million deal. 

“The Tay Cities Region includes Dundee, Perth, Angus and the north of Fife.

“This investment will help the region continue to thrive and grow, fulfilling our ambitions for the region to be one of the most economically and culturally vibrant areas in the country and delivering benefits to the whole of Scotland.”