The withdrawal of £5million in vital funding for three landmark Perth projects was this week branded “a betrayal” by the city’s MP as the plug was officially pulled on the cash.
SNP MP Pete Wishart made the comments after receiving confirmation from the UK Government that the Levelling Up money will no longer be forthcoming for the region.
The raging politician also pointed out that neighbouring Dundee and Angus had their £20m awards honoured.
The loss of the money – allocated by the previous Conservative Government in March 2024 – was also slammed by Perthshire Tory politicians, with Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) Tory group leader John Duff calling it “infuriating.”
Perth projects set to benefit were the £3m restoration of the A-listed Lower City Mills as a tourist attraction, £1.5m to convert the vacant former foundry by Perth Museum into “The Ironworks” exhibition and workspace, and £500,000 to turn the former VisitScotland tourist information centre on Perth High Street into a shopfront for Perthshire food and drink providers.
Mr Wishart had raised the issue with UK Government ministers on a number of occasions since July’s general election, including chancellor Rachel Reeves.
And Scottish Secretary Ian Murray told the Perth MP in December that the money had not been cancelled, but “paused”.
The SNP MP said: “For months, I have raised this with practically every minister I could think of to try to get clarity on what is happening, only to get a different response each time.
“As recently as December, Ian Murray assured me in parliament that funding hadn’t been cancelled, but merely ‘paused’.
“Perth and Kinross has not got a single penny from the Levelling Up fund, whilst other Scottish local authorities have got several awards totalling tens of millions of pounds. In Tayside alone, Angus and Dundee have both had their recent £20m awards honoured.
“The projects this funding was going to be used for would have been transformative for Perth, helping to boost footfall and trade, and further establish the city as a cultural tourism destination.
“This Labour Government has become nothing more than a conveyor belt of betrayal for my constituents.
“In just six months, they have taken the Winter Fuel Payment from our pensioners; abandoned our WASPI women; and tax raided our farmers and small businesses.
“But despite all that, they can’t even find it in themselves to honour this paltry £5 million.”
PKC Tory leader Mr Duff said: “[The £5m] was snatched away at the budget and then dangled in front of us a few months ago when we were told a final decision hadn’t been made.
“To have it snatched away a second time is infuriating. The people of Perth deserved better.”
Tory colleague Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid-Scotland and Fife said: “All three projects would have injected new life into the city centre, providing a much-needed boost to the area.
“The funding, which was proposed by the last Conservative UK Government, would have benefited businesses and visitors.”
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Local Growth and Building Safety, Alex Norris MP, confirmed the Perth funding is being withdrawn in a letter dated February 17, stating: “The extremely challenging fiscal environment this government inherited meant that many difficult choices have been required on how to prioritise funding within extremely tight budgets.
“Indeed, you will be aware that these projects were originally announced but unfunded as part of the Levelling Up culture and capital funding announced by the previous administration.
“It is with regret that, having considered all responses, we have reached the conclusion that we can no longer fund this project.
“Decisions were taken based on factors such as maximising economic growth.”