Douglas Ross has called for investment in the £100million Moray Growth Deal to be “fast-tracked” with delivery of projects brought forward from an estimated 15-year period to 10 years or fewer.
The Moray MP raised the issue at Prime Minister’s Questions today and is in discussions with the UK Treasury aimed at speeding up the process.
His call echoes the position taken by the Moray Business Forum, which has also said that the promised investment in the region should happen as soon as possible.
The Moray Growth Deal is a joint UK and Scottish government initiative that will invest £40.6million to create two Moray College/UHI growth hubs, £31.1million for culture, tourism and town centre regeneration, £7million for a manufacturing innovation base, £7.5million on housing, £5million for digital advances in public health, £5million to boost STEM skills and £4.3million on public transport improvements.
Scottish Conservative MP for Moray Douglas Ross said:
“The Covid-19 pandemic will have a severe economic impact on the whole country. That’s why I welcome the UK Government announcement this week of major investment in green energy.
“For the same reason, we should be pushing ahead as quicky as possible with the investment agreed as part of the Moray Growth Deal.
“The projects involved will bring huge benefits to Moray as we work to rebuild our economy after the Coronavirus crisis.
“This benefit could be even greater if the UK Government contribution could be spread over a shorter period. I’ve been making strong representations to the government on this and the opportunity to raise it at Prime Minister’s Questions allowed Moray’s case you be heard loud and clear
“I think this would be very worthwhile and would be welcomed by everybody involved.
“I am urging the UK Government to fast-track this investment to benefit individuals and businesses across Moray.”