Transforming Communities: UK Government’s Leveling Up Fund
Empowering Local Communities
Six major regeneration and transport projects across Scotland are set to receive a substantial boost from the UK Government’s Leveling Up Fund. The infusion of almost £122 million into these communities reflects a commitment to improving the lives of local people through targeted investment and infrastructure development.
Significant Impact Across Scotland
Under the third round of the Leveling Up Fund, a total of £1 billion has been allocated to support 55 projects across Britain. Notably, Scotland stands out as a recipient of the second-highest award, with a significant £37.4 million earmarked for the creation of new commercial buildings, enhanced walking and cycling routes, and the establishment of more electric vehicle charging points in the North and South Ayrshire regions.
Government’s Commitment
Leveling Up Secretary Michael Gove emphasized that the fund’s primary objective is to meet the priorities of local communities and drive transformative change in areas that have historically been marginalized. This substantial investment seeks to create new job opportunities, spur economic growth, and rejuvenate local areas, aligning with the government’s broader agenda to decentralize power and resources, and foster tailored interventions for the places most in need.
Impactful Projects
- In southern Scotland, over £22.8 million will be dedicated to the revitalization of historic buildings in Annan and Peebles, along with infrastructure improvements along the Clydesdale Way.
- Furthermore, Dumfries and Galloway will benefit from a £13.7 million investment aimed at enhancing transport connectivity, including the introduction of new electric vehicle charging infrastructure and improvements to walking and cycling routes.
- Additional allocations include over £18.2 million for the transformation of Elgin town center in Moray, nearly £15 million for the development of Drumchapel town center in Glasgow, and £14.6 million for the regeneration of the Shawfield National Business District in South Lanarkshire.
Scottish Secretary’s Perspective
Highlighting the significance of the approved projects, Scottish Secretary Alister Jack expressed enthusiasm for the positive transformation that these investments are expected to bring. He emphasized that the initiatives, spanning across the north, central, and south of Scotland, will drive community enhancement through the creation of better and greener transport infrastructure, regeneration of buildings and land, and the promotion of education, business, and employment opportunities.
Continued Commitment and Progress
The recent funding injection is in addition to the £343 million already awarded to Scotland in previous funding rounds, bringing the total Leveling Up fund allocation for Scotland to £465 million. Ongoing projects, such as the restoration of Edinburgh’s Granton gasholder and sustainability and tourism enhancements in Inverness, underscore the momentum of transformative initiatives already underway in the region.
Nurturing Economic Growth
The commitment to driving transformative change and fostering sustainable development aligns with the government’s broader strategy to prioritize long-term decisions that will steer the country towards comprehensive and inclusive growth, echoing the Prime Minister’s focus on expanding the economy and implementing strategic changes that address the nation’s evolving needs.
Expansion of Opportunities
Beyond the Leveling Up Fund, the government has announced the establishment of green freeports in Scotland, as well as investment zones in key areas. The extension of the Investment Zones program and Freeport tax relief in England further signifies a commitment to nurturing economic growth and fostering development opportunities.
Commitment to Collaboration
The government’s intention to work closely with the Scottish Government to extend the benefits of these programs to Scotland reinforces a collaborative spirit in driving impactful, region-specific change.
Unlocking Potential: Setting the Stage for a Thriving Future
The Leveling Up Fund represents a pivotal opportunity to empower local communities, facilitate economic growth, and foster sustainable development. By channeling substantial investments into targeted projects, the UK Government is signaling a commitment to generating tangible and lasting impact across different regions, furthering the country’s journey towards holistic growth and prosperity.
Embracing Transformative Change
As the Leveling Up Fund continues to unfold, it’s poised to shape the trajectory of communities across Scotland, creating a ripple effect of positive transformation and unlocking the potential for a vibrant, sustainable future.
Summary
The UK Government’s Leveling Up Fund is catalyzing significant investment in Scotland, with six major regeneration and transport projects set to receive nearly £122 million. This injection of funds underscores a commitment to empowering local communities, driving economic growth, and fostering sustainable development. Through targeted infrastructure improvements and strategic investments, the initiative seeks to create transformative change, heralding a future of inclusive growth and thriving communities.
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Six major regeneration and transport projects across Scotland will receive almost £122 million from the third round of the UK Government’s Leveling Up Fund, a multi-million pound initiative improving the lives of local people.
The UK Government has today announced a total of £1 billion to support 55 projects across Britain under the Leveling Up Fund. The proposals for Moray, North and South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, Glasgow, Dumfries and Galloway and The Scottish Borders have each received a share of the flagship fund, which will see improvements to town centres, high streets and local transport.
Scotland will receive the second-highest award given to any project in this round: a significant £37.4 million to create new commercial buildings, better walking and cycling routes and more electric vehicle charging points in the north and South Ayrshire.
Leveling Up Secretary Michael Gove said:
“Leveling up means meeting local people’s priorities and delivering transformative change in communities that, for too long, have been ignored and undervalued. Today we are supporting 55 projects across the UK with £1 billion to create new jobs and opportunities, boost economic growth and revitalize local areas. This funding builds on our wider initiatives to spread growth, by transferring more money and power from Westminster to towns and cities, delivering tailored interventions to the places that need it most and our long-term plan for cities ”.
Other funded projects:
- In a joint bid across southern Scotland, more than £22.8 million will renovate historic buildings in Annan and Peebles and improve walking and cycling routes along the Clydesdale Way.
- A £13.7 million fund will also be invested to improve transport connectivity in Dumfries and Galloway, including new electric vehicle charging for cars, electric buses, improvements to walking and cycling routes and new transport hubs in five cities in the region.
- In Moray, more than £18.2 million will transform Elgin town center into an attractive urban center where high-productivity businesses can thrive.
- Glasgow City Council will receive almost £15 million to invest in Drumchapel town centre, improving connectivity in and around the city to improve business opportunities and boost the local economy.
- And in South Lanarkshire, £14.6 million will regenerate the Shawfield National Business District to prepare the site for future development, as well as nearby Polmadie Burn so that the Glasgow Riverside Innovation District campus can be relocated there, boosting employment and education for the community.
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said:
“It is fantastic news that these six locally developed projects in the north, central and south of Scotland have been given the green light. Sharing £122 million in funding from the UK Government, they will transform communities through improvements such as better, greener transport infrastructure and connectivity, the regeneration of buildings and land and the creation of education, business and employment.
“Our commitment to raising the bar with communities across Scotland so far amounts to almost £2.7bn. “We are focused on working with local partners to deliver the change the country needs to put the UK on the right path for the future.”
These new investments are in addition to the £343 million already awarded to Scotland in previous funding rounds, bringing the total of Scotland’s Leveling Up fund to £465 million.
Projects already underway include the restoration of Edinburgh’s iconic Granton gasholder, a £16 million investment from the first round of the Leveling Up Fund. The historic structure, which is at the center of wider plans to regenerate the entire coastal area into a thriving seaside town, will become a usable centerpiece for the community.
Construction work is also starting to improve sustainability and tourism in Inverness along the River Ness, supported by £20 million from the Leveling Up Fund. The three projects will create a new Castle Energy Center on Castle Street, renew and preserve the Victorian Grandstand at Northern Meeting Park and improve the sporting and events infrastructure at the Bught Park Grandstand.
Growing the economy and making long-term decisions to deliver the change the country needs is a priority for the Prime Minister.
Earlier this year, the UK Government announced two green freeports in Scotland, in the Cromarty Firth and Firth of Forth, and two investment zones in Glasgow and the North East.
Today the Chancellor confirmed that the Investment Zones program in England will be extended from five to ten years. Additionally, the deadline for claiming Freeport tax relief in England will be extended from five to ten years until September 2031.
The UK Government will work with the Scottish Government with the intention of granting the same extension to investment zones and free ports in Scotland.
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