Brian Whittle is still driving the Ayrshire Growth Deal forward, bringing his party’s interim leader to meet the Deal team and keep the pressure on the UK and Scottish Governments to sign on the dotted line.
The Scottish Conservative MSP for South Scotland brought Jackson Carlaw MSP, who’s standing in while Ruth Davidson is on maternity leave, to Kilmarnock for a meeting with senior members of the Deal team. During the meeting with Sharon Hodgson, leader of the Ayrshire Growth Deal team, Jackson was given an update on some of the projects being proposed. These include a plan to make Cumnock a hub for renewable energy and developing Prestwick airport as a leader in horizontal take-off space flight.
For his part, Mr Carlaw updated the team on his most recent discussions with Scottish Secretary David Mundell and pledged to help keep the momentum going for the Deal to be signed off by the UK and Scottish Governments early in the New Year.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“I’m delighted Jackson accepted my invitation to meet the Deal team and hear first-hand just how advanced the plans are. There’s been a huge amount of work put into getting the Deal to this point and I’m sure we’ll take the next big step forward in 2019.
This deal represents a great example of what can be achieved when the UK and Scottish Governments work together in Scotland’s interests. From my own conversations with UK and Scottish Ministers, there’s a genuine recognition that this deal could transform the area’s economy for decades to come.
I look forward to working with Jackson, David Mundell and the Scottish Government to see this deal through.”
Jackson Carlaw said:
“It was great to join Brian and the deal team in Kilmarnock last week. Their plans for the growth deal are ambitious and will bring much needed investment to communities across Ayrshire. Growth deals are hugely important for communities the length and breadth of Scotland and I am pleased to see local MSPs like Brian championing their local areas. I will do all I can to progress this deal as soon as possible.”
