The UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, is being urged by Glasgow Shettleston MSP, John Mason, to give the green light to “shovel ready” projects in the East End.
Mr Mason is backing Scottish Government calls for the London government to unlock around £300 million of money. This is currently allocated as capital funding for Scottish projects in future years but the Shettleston MSP is calling upon the Prime Minister to “get on with it” and accelerate capital investment to stimulate the economy. The MSP’s calls come as figures released yesteray show that unemployment is still very high in the East End and that economic recovery is still very fragile.
The SNP Scottish Government is calling upon the London Government to give the green light to £302 million worth of projects, some £70 million of which are connected to the East End. They include M8, M73 & M74 road improvements as well as Clyde Gateway developments in Bridgeton and Dalmarnock.
Commenting, John Mason MSP said:
“David Cameron has told First Minister Alex Salmond that he accepts the principle of this capital acceleration. I hope the Prime Minister will now get on with it and sign off this money so that construction can start and we can invest in jobs in the East End.
“Economic recovery is still fragile, so this work would go a long way in getting local folk – particularly our young people – back onto building sites and into work.
“A 32 per cent cut in the money Westminster allocated to Scotland for its capital budget was wrong and damaging and its impact on the Scottish economy is very visible, with unemployment in the East End still too high.
“If these projects got underway this year, then rather than being delayed, they would generate significant employment impacts that would be vital as we continue to do all we can to tackle unemployment.
“It is estimated that each additional £100 million of capital spending supports 1400 jobs in the Scottish economy, so the proof is in the pudding. It’s time for the Prime Minister to get on with it.”