THE Glasgow city region partnership has continued to accelerate economic transformation, a new report released today has revealed.
The report sets out progress in the region’s £1.13 billion city deal and on various ambitious initiatives underway collectively by the eight local councils to drive economic growth, boost growing areas of the economy – particularly the region’s innovation sector – and support skills and jobs.
The latest performance report for the region was considered at the cabinet meeting of the eight local council leaders earlier today.
The region’s £1.13 billion city deal, one of the largest and most advanced in the UK, continues to make significant progress since it started in 2014. Funded by the UK and Scottish governments, more than £495 million has been spent to date on infrastructure improvements and business and employment programmes.
All city deal projects are underway, with 54 projects already completed including Greenock Ocean Terminal, the Sighthill bridge over the M8 motorway in Glasgow, and the new transport hub at Motherwell.
Future city deal milestones include the completion and formal opening of the new bridge over the Clyde at Partick – Govan, and the first ever road bridge over the river at Renfrew to Yoker.
The report also revealed that projects delivered through the city deal have been ‘instrumental’ in bringing the new Barclays Campus to Glasgow, the largest inward investment ever in Scotland, and vitally in underpinning the region’s three innovation districts which are set to play a key part in the region’s future economic success.
Susan Aitken, Glasgow city region cabinet chair and leader of Glasgow City Council, said, “Over the past decade, the Glasgow city region city deal has helped deliver enormous social, physical and economic transformation.
“Our initial funding from the UK and Scottish governments has been the catalyst for transitioning the Glasgow city region to become a world-class local innovation economy; attracting many billions in additional capital investment; and, crucially, supporting thousands of residents into training and employment. The latest performance report provides the evidence of that ongoing momentum and the outcomes we’re securing for Scotland’s metropolitan region and its people, as well as for the wider Scottish and UK economies.”
Local businesses have won £147 million worth of city deal contracts – 33% of the total value of contracts awarded. With over £584 million of funding agreed so far for spend on infrastructure works, further contract opportunities are in the pipeline.
Furthermore, over 5,500 unemployed residents and 8,000 young people have been supported into work through the city deal funded skills and employment projects. Over 2,000 community benefit opportunities have been committed by businesses appointed to deliver city deal contracts, including 350 jobs and apprenticeships, most of which are for young people and priority groups.
Beyond the city deal, the region has successfully drawn further extensive government, physical and social landscape.
This includes:
Projects to further boost the region’s innovation economy:
- One of the two new investment zones in Scotland announced last year, the region’s £160 million investment Zone will focus on further boosting key sectors within the local Innovation Economy. A call for project funding bids closed in March this year.
- As one of three pilot UK innovation accelerators to share £100 million UK Government funding, Glasgow’s 11 projects are further boosting the innovation economy and will generate billions in private sector investment.
Projects to drive a more inclusive and healthy economy:
- Plans are in progress to grow the number of accredited living wage employers in the region, boosting the incomes of many of our lowest paid people, with in-work poverty recognised as a big issue across the region. All eight partner councils are now accredited living wage employers, or on the path to doing so.
- Work is underway to put in place a Glasgow city region Good Employment Charter, encouraging workplaces to embrace the characteristics of good employment, such as fair pay, equality and inclusion, and opportunity for progression to all.
- Announced last year as one of ten new UK 5G Innovation Regions sharing a funding pot from the UK Government of £36 million, the Region’s 5G projects are focused on using technology to keep people safe, well, and socially connected in their own homes and communities.
Clyde Mission
- The region recognises the river Clyde as the largest untapped development opportunity in Western Europe. The acceleration of regeneration in the past ten years and recent City Deal investment have brought new economic life and vibrancy to the area. But the river also brings challenges, with communities close to the river among the most disadvantaged in Scotland and facing issues around connectivity and proximity to Vacant and derelict Land.
- The migration of Clyde mission from the Scottish Government to Glasgow city region was announced last year. The Region will lead on shaping an ambitious masterplan for the river to address these issues and opportunities and to manage a further £25 million heat decarbonisation fund.
Clyde Metro
- Discussions continue with government to realise the region’s vision for the £15 billion Clyde Metro – a sustainable transport solution linking the airport to the city centre, providing greater access to jobs, education and leisure for the Region’s 1.8 million residents, joining up disconnected communities and driving investment in pockets of underused land, including along the Clyde.
Susan Aitken continued, “We’re now heading towards the end of the first city deal decade and our focus is already turning to the next era for metropolitan Glasgow and a future that builds on the strong governance partnership between the eight councils and our proven track record of delivery. It’s crucial that we don’t let the momentum drop and our next task is to secure the enabling powers and investment to ensure we keep addressing our challenges, maximising our opportunities and delivering for our people and economy.”
