Title

ECONOMIC GROWTH

MSPs warn 'significant' issues with City Region Deals must be addressed

A number of concerns about Scotland’s City Region Deals have been raised today by a Holyrood committee.

A number of concerns about Scotland's City Region Deals have been raised today by a Holyrood committee.

In a new report, the Local Government and Communities Committee argued there were significant issues with the economic growth projects that must be addressed, including ‘confused and cluttered' priorities between local authorities and the governments.

Deal or No Deal also called for communities and businesses to be involved in City Region Deals in a meaningful way.

Committee convenor Bob Doris said: ‘While it's still very early days in the City Region Deals lifespan, it's not clear how other towns and the more rural and remote areas of Scotland will benefit from these deals.

‘There is also a risk that some parts of Scotland could miss out or lose out on the benefits that these projects may bring and that other initiatives are treated as the poor cousin in comparison.

'In order for City Region Deals to be a success right across Scotland we need clarity on when this initiative will be extended to all.'

ECONOMIC GROWTH

Will devo and LGR be at local government's cost?

By Mo Baines | 08 June 2026

Are devolution and LGR a misdirected pursuit of growth at the expense of local government? Mo Baines argues that councils’ crucial role as convenors of local...

ECONOMIC GROWTH

The little button quietly saving UK councils from a thousand complaint emails

28 May 2026

On a Wednesday morning in February, a mother somewhere in the north of England sat down to apply for free school meals. She found her council's website. She ...

ECONOMIC GROWTH

Regeneration: Developing devolution

By David Blackman | 13 May 2026

UK plans for fiscal devolution, announced by chancellor Rachel Reeves, could significantly reshape how city regions fund transport and regeneration projects....

ECONOMIC GROWTH

The King's Speech must squeeze out more progress on climate

By Christopher Hammond | 11 May 2026

After a bruising local election, the King's Speech needs to bring local leaders and communities closer — not push them away, says Christopher Hammond.

Popular articles by Laura Sharman