South of Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has stepped up calls on the Scottish and UK Government to announce funding for an Ayrshire Growth Deal.

The South of Scotland MSP used a debate in the Scottish Parliament on growth deals today (Tuesday 22 January) to call on the Scottish Government to confirm a clear timetable for the deal to be agreed by the Scottish and UK Governments and for them to announce funding.

Speaking during the debate South Scotland MSP and Scottish Labour’s Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Connectivity and Transport Colin Smyth told Parliament, “Last week the Ayrshire Regional Economic Partnership was announced, with the three Ayrshire local authorities bringing their economic development departments closer together ahead of the long overdue signing of the heads of terms for the Ayrshire Growth Deal.

This approach not only establishes a shared framework to support collaborative working, it gives Ayrshire a unified voice on the national stage. But what people in Ayrshire now want to see are the projects in the growth deal delivered.

“The Ayrshire Growth Deal has been years in development. But so far not a penny of funding has been allocated by either the Scottish or UK Government. That needs to change. It’s time for both Government’s to put their money where their mouths are and announce the funding needed to make the Ayrshire Growth Deal a reality”.

Speaking after the debate Colin Smyth said, “The confusion over whether the Ayrshire Growth Deal heads of terms will be signed in 25 January sums up the way the whole process has been handed by the UK and Scottish Government. While the local councils have worked well together the bickering between the two governments has led to delay after delay.”