Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Regional Funding

Tuesday 27 January 2026 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Kirsteen Sullivan welcomed 37.8 million funding for Edinburgh and south-east Scotland from the local growth fund.
  • Emma Foody raised concerns about the Moor Farm roundabout hindering growth and causing daily issues for local residents.
  • Elaine Stewart highlighted the slow progress in implementing the Ayrshire growth deal despite its potential economic impact.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kirsteen Sullivan Labour (Co-op) Bathgate and Linlithgow
Economy Employment
Context

Edinburgh and south-east Scotland received £37.8 million from the local growth fund, but businesses in Kirsteen Sullivan's constituency face acute skills shortages.

Question

I welcome the fantastic news that Edinburgh and south-east Scotland will receive £37.8 million from the new local growth fund, supporting infrastructure, business support and skills development. However, I consistently hear from businesses that they struggle to recruit people with the skill sets needed to grow their operations and fuel economic growth. Can the Chancellor set out how this investment will reach beyond the cities to tackle the acute skills shortages in my constituency of Bathgate and Linlithgow?

Answer from The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves)

I thank my hon. Friend for her commitment to her constituency. It is right that the money is allocated through the regional economic partnerships in Scotland, and I have absolutely no doubt that my hon. Friend will make the case for her local area. The regional economic partnerships have already worked together to deliver the integrated regional employability and skills programme in Edinburgh and south-east Scotland, including helping people in her Bathgate and Linlithgow constituency.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps for addressing skill shortages beyond cities.

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Q2 Emma Foody Labour (Co-op) Cramlington and Killingworth
Transport
Context

Campaigning for improvement at Moor Farm roundabout, which is currently holding back growth across the north-east.

Question

Ministers will be all too aware of my campaign to unlock improvement at Moor Farm roundabout, which is currently holding back growth across the north-east and causing misery to local people on a daily basis. The Government have rightly taken steps to ensure that my region gets its fair share of investment through changes to the Green Book and place-based business cases, but will the Chancellor meet me ahead of the road investment strategy to ensure that we finally get this long overdue investment in a critical piece of north-east infrastructure?

Answer from The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves)

My hon. Friend has been a tireless campaigner for the Moor Farm roundabout, which holds back both commuters and businesses, and therefore both growth and prosperity. I will continue to work with her on this. I know that the roundabout is now being properly considered for inclusion in the road investment strategy and I would be happy to meet her to discuss that further.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q3 Elaine Stewart Lab Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock
Economy Scotland
Context

The Ayrshire growth deal has the potential to make a real difference but delivery on the ground remains too slow.

Question

The Ayrshire growth deal, which was allocated £103 million of UK Government funds, has the potential to make a real difference to our economic prospects. Despite its clear potential, though, delivery on the ground remains far too slow in turning around real progress. What action can the UK Government take to drive momentum, sharpen the strategic direction of the deal and ensure that Ayrshire finally sees the benefits of this investment?

Answer from The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves)

This Labour Government are investing more than £250 million in economic development and regeneration in Ayrshire, including but not limited to the Ayrshire growth deal. My hon. Friend is a great champion of Ayrshire, and I look forward to working with her and my good friend Anas Sarwar in the months and years ahead to deliver for the people of Ayrshire and those right across Scotland.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific actions to accelerate deal's benefits.

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