Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the level of engagement from UK Government officials with Dundee City Council and the progress on critical projects like the Eden Project and life sciences innovation district. The council has requested a roundtable meeting to discuss necessary funds.
What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the future of levelling up in Scotland. The Under-Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities will meet me on Friday but not the leader of Dundee City Council who has invited him to a roundtable. Will he urge his colleague to include those critical projects in our discussions and address the lack of engagement?
The UK Government is investing more than £60 million in Dundee, identified as key priorities by local partners. The hon. Member mentions the leader of Dundee City Council who received £20 million for Dundee from UK levelling-up funds and recently said, “This is just the UK Government element. I'm pursuing the Scottish Government as well.” I hope the hon. Member will agree to write a joint letter with me asking, “Where is the money?”
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Assessment & feedback
The specific projects and roundtable meeting were not addressed directly.
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP is questioning the level of levelling-up investment compared to pre-Brexit EU structural funds and seeking clarity on the current financial comparison.
Can the Minister say how the specific levelling-up fund compares to what it was prior to leaving the EU, especially in relation to capital funding for projects like the Eden Project?
Four years since Brexit, the UK Government have announced £1.4 billion for new levelling-up initiatives in Scotland, exceeding the entire seven-year budget for EU structural and investment funds of about £780 million from 2014 to 2020.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP is seeking details on the comparison between EU structural funds and current levelling-up fund allocations post-Brexit.
Can the Minister say how the specific levelling-up fund compares to what it was prior to leaving the EU, particularly focusing on capital funding?
£2.9 billion has been invested by this Government into communities across Scotland since leaving the EU, which exceeds the previous EU structural and investment funds for Scotland from 2014 to 2020.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is challenging the accuracy of claims that levelling-up funds exceed pre-Brexit EU structural funds, pointing out a shortfall.
I am talking about specific levelling-up fund and shared prosperity fund allocations. They have given Scotland £471 million and £212 million respectively, short of the £780 million from EU structural funds. When can we have the money?
£2.9 billion has been invested by this Government into communities across Scotland since leaving the EU, which exceeds the previous EU structural and investment funds for Scotland from 2014 to 2020.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific shortfall in funding was not addressed directly.
Response accuracy