Michael Shanks MP for Rutherglen is calling on SNP MSPs to push the Scottish Government to re-fund Clyde Gateway, after Ministers failed to commit to re-instating its budget which was was cut in Scotland’s budget of 2023, then partially reinstated.
After the recent UK budget which delivered an additional £1.5 billion for the Scottish Government to spend this financial year and an additional £3.4 billion next year, Michael Shanks MP wrote to the Scottish Government urging them to use this additional capital spend to reinstate previous funding to Clyde Gateway.
The Minister for Employment and Investment, Tom Arthur MSP, has written back, unable to confirm that Clyde Gateway will receive funding in the next Scottish budget, due to take place on Wednesday, December 4.
The Scottish Minister visited the site last month to mark the ground-breaking of two new industrial units at Shawfield. The Scottish Government is investing a further £3.8 million during 2024/25.
He insisted the Scottish Government “remains committed to supporting Clyde Gateway”, but was unable to provide any further details of core funding for Clyde Gateway while the process of setting the Scottish Budget is ongoing.
Michael Shanks is calling on SNP MSPs to push the Scottish Government to resolve the funding situation once and for all.
The Rutherglen MP said: “The Scottish Government slashed the funding for Clyde Gateway and left the future of important projects for our community in jeopardy.
“They have an opportunity now to put that right by reinstating the crucial investment funding in the upcoming budget.
“SNP MSPs in Greater Glasgow and South Lanarkshire must put their constituents first and push the government to do the right thing and reinstate this funding”.
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