Council bosses in Aberdeen believe a £500million UK Government pledge for Glasgow is good news for the north-east authority, which is also lobbying for a ‘City Deal’.
The Westminster government said the agreement with Scotland’s largest city, announced yesterday, could create up to 28,000 jobs over the next 20 years and boost growth by £1.75billion a year.
Manchester and Liverpool have already been granted City Deal status, which provides groundbreaking powers including the ability to “earn back” tax from the Treasury, control transport budgets and plug skills gaps.
Aberdeen City Council is currently finalising a submission to the UK Government, and officials plan to head to London at the end of the month to press their case.
The local authority’s leader, Labour councillor Jenny Laing, said: “It is vital that the UK Government recognises the contribution Aberdeen makes to the UK economy.
“Aberdeen is a vibrant city but most residents and businesses recognise that it needs better infrastructure.
“A City Deal would help the council pay for large scale infrastructure improvements as well as provide finance for other projects within the city.”
Enterprise, strategic planning and infrastructure convener Barney Crockett added: “This opens the door for us.
“The discussions so far with the UK Government have been going very well, and I think the City Deal is the way forward.
“Scottish cities cannot afford to be left behind in the city development stakes.”
Mr Cameron, who made the announcement for Glasgow yesterday, said: “For too long, governments in London and Edinburgh have acted as though taking powers away from Britain’s great cities is the best way to create growth, rather than trusting the people living there to find their own specific solutions to meet their own unique needs.
“But not any more.”
The Glasgow cash will go towards a new fund which will support infrastructure projects such as a new airport rail link, improvements to the road and bus network and the development of new business sites.
Conservative prime minister Mr Cameron challenged the Scottish Government to “match” the Westminster commitment to growth in Glasgow.
However, a Scottish Government spokeswoman said; “This represents £25million per annum over the next 20 years.
“The Scottish Government has been making substantial investment in Glasgow over the years, including over £380million towards the Commonwealth Games.”