First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has written to the Prime Minister to call for a multi-million pound city deal to support Aberdeen’s position as a global oil and gas hub to be agreed upon “as a matter of urgency”.
In the letter, the First Minister stated that due to the recent announcement of significant private sector job losses by the oil and gas industry, “It is vital that Government sends a strong and unequivocal signal that it is fully supportive of the region’s position as a global oil and gas hub. The city deal provides a good opportunity to signal our respective governments’ support for the region. Against that backdrop, I am supportive of moving as soon as possible to agree the Aberdeen city deal.
“Proposals include plans to consolidate the region’s global reputation in the oil and gas industry. A new innovation hub will support Aberdeen make the transition from an operations base to a global centre for technology and R&D investment and anchor the oil and gas industry as a major success story for the Scottish and UK economies now and in the years to come. This deal will also pave the way for diversifying the economy, building on existing strengths in biopharmaceuticals, agri-food and drink.
“Digital connectivity, supporting the Nigg Harbour expansion, investment in housing and transport will also all play an important role in supporting and growing the economy of Aberdeen city region for the future. Key industry players, led by Opportunity North East, have endorsed these proposals as the surest way to secure the region’s economic future.”
Ms Sturgeon continued, “As was the case with Glasgow and the Clyde Valley, I am prepared for the Scottish Government to fund the deal on a 50:50 basis,” before calling for a tri-partite agreement between the Scottish and UK government and local councils.”
