A local councillor has called the UK Government’s snubbing of Perth in a £2.1billion funding project “a disgrace”.
Last week saw over 100 projects across the UK receive news they would receive a share of the massive cash pot – which is Round Two of the government’s Levelling Up Fund.
Neighbouring Dundee, Fife and Stirling Councils have all benefited from this latest round of funding but Perth and Kinross Council has missed out.
The idea behind the flagship Levelling Up project is to create jobs and boost the economy.
Perth City Centre ward councillor Peter Barrett had hoped Levelling Up funding could help support the delivery of Perth’s Eco-Innovation Park.
The Eco-Innovation Park will form part of the Perth West development and expansion of the Fair City.
Liberal Democrat councillor Peter Barrett said: “The government has chosen to ignore the pleas of our local community, showing yet again they are taking families here for granted. Had our bid been successful, the lives of people in Perth would have been significantly improved.
“Instead we have been left out and forced to fend for ourselves while the Prime Minister lines the pocket of his own area. It’s a disgrace.”
Catterick Garrison in Rishi Sunak’s Richmond constituency in North Yorkshire has been awarded just over £19 million to transform its town centre.
Closer to home, Dundee was awarded £14.4 million to redevelop its Bell Street multi-storey car park into a sustainable transport hub. Fife has received £19.4 million to regenerate Riverside Park and improve access to River Leven.
While Stirling has been awarded just over £19 million towards regenerating its Forthside area helping to create 1000 jobs.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “Through greater investment in local areas, we can grow the economy, create good jobs and spread opportunity everywhere.
“That’s why we are backing more than 100 projects with new transformational funding to level up local communities across the United Kingdom. By reaching even more parts of the country than before, we will build a future of optimism and pride in people’s lives and the places they call home.”
A UK Government spokesperson said: “The Levelling Up Fund is investing in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK, spreading opportunity to historically overlooked areas.
“All projects were subject to a rigorous assessment process under robust, fair and transparent rules, with no involvement of local MPs in the selection process.”
The third round of the Levelling Up fund will open later this year.
