Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

City Region Deals 2026-07-15

Wednesday 15 July 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

  • City region deals in Scotland have received over 1.5 billion of UK Government investment to foster economic growth.
  • The Secretary of State supports devolving power from Edinburgh to Glasgow to match the benefits seen in cities like Manchester and Liverpool.
  • West Dunbartonshire is part of the Glasgow city region deal, with a project to develop a major industrial site on the former ExxonMobil terminal.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Douglas McAllister Lab
Economy Scotland
Context

The effectiveness and impact of the city region deals have been a subject of discussion, with specific focus on how these deals are fostering economic growth in various regions.

Question

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of city region deals in Scotland. Built on more than £1.5 billion of UK Government investment, the deals play a vital role in fostering enduring economic growth, unlocking private sector investment, and improving infrastructure and job opportunities.

Answer from Douglas Alexander

City region and growth deals are having a visible and transformative impact on regional economies across Scotland. Built on more than £1.5 billion of UK Government investment, the deals play a vital role in fostering enduring economic growth, unlocking private sector investment, and improving infrastructure and job opportunities.

Answered
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Q2 Gordon McKee Lab
Scotland
Context

Greater Glasgow, divided into more than a dozen local authorities 30 years ago, is an example of regional fragmentation. The question seeks to prompt the Secretary of State to advocate for further power devolution from Edinburgh to Glasgow.

Question

Cities such as Manchester and Liverpool have benefited enormously from their regional devolution. Greater Glasgow, 30 years ago, was split up into more than a dozen local authorities, so I ask the Secretary of State to press the Scottish Government to devolve power out of Edinburgh and into Glasgow.

Answer from Douglas Alexander

In the words of the incoming Prime Minister, we're up for it, as far as devolving power from Holyrood is concerned. Alas, many of the powers rest with the Scottish Government. We need to end the grinding centralisation that I described in my speech to the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities last autumn, and see a renewed focus on the city regions of Scotland.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific request for pressing the Scottish Government was not directly addressed.

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Q3 Douglas McAllister Lab
Economy Business & Trade Local Government
Context

West Dunbartonshire is part of the Glasgow city region deal, which includes an ambitious project to redevelop a former ExxonMobil terminal site. The question seeks confirmation that the government supports this initiative and agrees it will bring economic benefits.

Question

West Dunbartonshire is one of eight local authorities that make up the Glasgow city region deal. The local authority is delivering an ambitious project to create a major industrial and commercial development on the former ExxonMobil terminal site on the Clyde. The enabling works are funded jointly by the council and the Glasgow city region deal, to the tune of £45 million. Does the Secretary of State agree that to reindustrialise every part of our nation, this Government must help unlock the economic potential of the site, and bring much-needed, well-paid and high-skilled jobs to West Dunbartonshire?

Answer from Douglas Alexander

Let me assure my hon. Friend that we are committed to bringing economic opportunity to every part of Scotland. Unlocking the economic potential of sites exactly like the ExxonMobil Bowling terminal is how we can achieve that for communities and deliver the high-skilled jobs that people want. West Dunbartonshire is presently benefiting from over £500 million through the Glasgow city region deal, as well as money from our new local growth fund. This Government are working hard with local partners to deliver long-term prosperity.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific funding and concrete actions for unlocking economic potential were not detailed.

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