Up to 15,000 jobs could be created from a £1.84 billion investment across Angus, Dundee, Fife and Perth & Kinross, it has been revealed.

Details of the Tay Cities Deal were unveiled at the James Hutton Institute in Invergowrie on Friday, 03 February.

Over 50 projects are included in the submission document, which lists opportunities and challenges for the Angus, Dundee, Fife and Perth & Kinross economy over the next 20 years.

Of the proposed £1.84bn investment, £826 million over the next ten years is being sought from the Scottish and UK governments and their agencies. If each project/programme in the Deal is approved, as many as 15,000 job opportunities could be created across tourism, food and drink, creative industries, eco innovation, digital, decommissioning, engineering, biomedical and health and care.

Key projects include a £30m capital investment in Perth Museum and Art Gallery and a new cultural attraction at City Hall; the Perth 2021 UK City of Culture Bid; creating the UK's first energy carbon neutral university at the University of St Andrews' Guardbridge Eden Campus; building a regional logistics, fulfilment and business innovation park in Perth; developing the Cross Tay Link Road to unlock development land in and around Perth as well as increase growth; delivering a Montrose to A90 investment corridor which will enable the delivery of infrastructure to support a major growth opportunity in North Angus.

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Iain Gaul leader of Angus Council, said: "The Tay Cities region will be successful for everyone who lives here. By working together, public and private sector partners can deliver this ambitious, creative and forward thinking programme."

Cabinet Secretary for Economy Keith Brown said: "Cities and their regions play a crucial role driving economic growth which is why the Scottish Government is working individually and collectively with Scotland's cities, regions, businesses and people to boost this growth.

"It's fantastic to see the local authorities working collaboratively to bring together this proposal. This partnership approach has been clearly demonstrated through the region's asks and proposed innovative projects. We will continue to work closely with the councils to understand and help develop their ambitious proposals."

UK Government Minister Andrew Dunlop added: "The UK Government is fully behind a Tay Cities Deal, as was made clear by the Chancellor in his Autumn Statement.  We look forward to working through the detailed proposals with partners.

"Boosting the economy of the region will bring new jobs and infrastructure improvements which will benefit everyone.

"The UK Government is committed to delivering a UK Cities Deal for each of Scotland's seven cities. We look forward to working with the Tay Cities partners."

The Deal submission will be discussed at Angus, Dundee, Fife and Perth & Kinross councils over the coming weeks and the final document submitted to both governments by the end of the month.

(LM/MH)