Glasgow City Region has welcomed confirmation of £22.7 million in first-year funding from the UK Government's Local Growth Fund, aimed at accelerating business growth, improving skills and employability, and creating new commercial space across the area.

The award represents the opening phase of a total £60.9 million package over three years, split between revenue and capital, and directed at three themes: enabling infrastructure, business support, and skills and employment.

Year-one revenue funding of £6.9 million will enable the region's eight member councils to continue delivering established Business Support, Skills and Employability activity—helping people into work, supporting company expansion, and equipping residents with the capabilities needed for future jobs.

On capital, two priority programmes will receive support this year. A £14.9 million allocation will extend the Enabling Commercial Space programme to tackle a well-evidenced shortage of high-quality business premises across the region. The remaining £833,000 will be used to develop a Green Business Support programme, offering SMEs grants of up to £10,000 to assist their transition to net zero.

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A third capital stream—Regional Projects of Scale—will be brought forward in later years. The region is currently working with stakeholders and partners to shape a programme aligned to the Regional Economic Strategy and Local Growth Fund priorities.

An Investment Plan detailing how the funding will be deployed was produced in partnership with the eight councils, considered by the Regional Partnership, and approved by Cabinet in May 2026. The UK Government gave its approval in August 2026.

Kevin Rush, Executive Director of Economic Growth for Glasgow City Region, said: "This first year of investment builds on established activity that is making a difference for people and businesses across the Region. The three-year programme will continue to support long-term growth across the eight local authorities, addressing skills gaps and creating opportunities for local people, helping SMEs to be more resilient and competitive, and providing space for businesses to grow and invest. We will continue to work closely with our member authorities and partners to ensure the Local Growth Fund investment delivers real benefit for communities and businesses across the Region."

Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said: "Today the UK Government is releasing more than £22 million to Glasgow City Region partners who know their communities best. These funds will be crucial for delivering business support, skills and employability programmes as well as creating high-growth commercial business space and regional infrastructure projects for housing supply, land use, and town centre regeneration.

"The UK Government is committed to empowering local communities by spreading power throughout the country. These funds will support local leaders throughout Scotland to create skilled jobs, help start-up businesses and revive our local high streets."