Murdo Fraser MSP says he is “hopeful” that vital financial support originally allocated to three cultural and heritage projects in Perth could still see the light of day.
Earlier this week, he asked the Right Honourable Ian Murray, Secretary of State for Scotland, if there was a prospect of the Levelling Up funding, totalling £5 million for Perth, coming back to the table. Mr Fraser asked this question to the Secretary of State during his appearance in front of the Scottish Parliament’s Economy and Fair Work Committee.
The previous Conservative UK Government had initially allocated the towns funding to support the three city centre projects in Perth, including the creation of a visitor attraction at Lower City Mills, an exhibition space at The Ironworks and a High Street outlet for micro-producers.
Commenting, Mr Fraser said: “I am hopeful that the UK Labour Government will decide that this Levelling Up funding can indeed proceed, as it seemed it was off the table following the election of the Labour Government in July. There had been talk in November that the funding had been cancelled, which led to much disappointment in many quarters.
“This is vital funding that will help make these community projects in Perth a reality. I was therefore pleased today to hear the Secretary of State for Scotland confirm that the funding has not in fact been cancelled and that all the Levelling Up funding projects may come back in the UK Labour Government’s upcoming spending review, when the matter will be discussed in further detail.
“He stated that the projects would be looked at in terms of ‘value for money.’”
Mr Fraser continued: “All three projects in Perth would potentially help breathe new life into the city centre and give the whole area a much-needed boost. They would benefit businesses and visitors.”
Perth was listed among 30 towns in the UK by the previous Conservative Government to be given a financial boost by the Levelling Up Fund.
