Edinburgh and South East City Deal is proof “we can achieve more together than apart”, says Theresa May

The Edinburgh and South East City Deal is proof that “we can achieve far more together than we ever could apart”, according to Prime Minister Theresa May.

Arriving in Edinburgh yesterday the PM said the deal, which saw the UK and Scottish governments each commit £300m, will “open up new opportunities for the future in the creative industries, in research, in housing, in transport and in skills”, claiming “it will have a lasting legacy”.

The plan also aims to support cutting-edge research at Edinburgh’s three universities and help to build a new concert hall.

Nicola Sturgeon, who met with May as part of the visit, said the funding would help Edinburgh and the south thrive and grow.

May said: “The City Deal will put Edinburgh at the cutting edge of that work and it is exciting to think about the future possibilities that this investment will open up.

“UK City and Growth Deals are a key part of our Modern Industrial Strategy. The UK Government has already committed over £1 billion to them here in Scotland. Five have been signed, and three more are being negotiated.

“Just like the Modern Industrial Strategy as a whole, they are a partnership between Government at all levels, business and academia to combine our resources and to tackle the challenges of tomorrow. Because I believe we can achieve far more together than we ever could apart.”

The First Minister said: "Edinburgh and the south-east of Scotland is an area of huge importance to the Scottish economy.

"The region contains over a quarter of Scotland’s population and contributes £33 billion to the Scottish and UK economies."

Sturgeon added: "Taken together, these projects will help the region continue to thrive and grow, fulfilling our ambitions for the region to be one of the fairest and most inclusive areas in the country."