Minister Malcolm Offord signed the full deal, which includes £50m investment by the UK Taxpayers, at a joint event in Orkney
An agreement to invest £100 million, of taxpayers' money, in the future economic prosperity of Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides was signed today (20th January) in Orkney by UK and Scottish Government Ministers and the Council Leaders of the three island groups.
Up to 1,300 jobs and £393 million of investment is anticipated to result from the signing of the transformative Islands Growth Deal between UK Government, Scottish Government, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Shetland Islands Council, and Orkney Islands Council.
Over a ten-year period, the Islands Growth Deal will invest in 16 projects and programmes that capitalise on the Islands’ unique assets. These are built around three strategic themes of low carbon, supporting growth and future industries, and thriving sustainable communities, subject to approval of Full Business Cases.
Jointly funded by up to £100 million - £50 million, funded by taxpayers, and allocated by each of the Scottish and UK Governments - the Islands Growth Deal will attract further investment of up to £293 million in match funding.
The Deal (full document) has been developed by the three island Councils, together with public, academic, business, community and third sector partners.
The first year of the ten-year programme is anticipated to see investment across the islands, including in UHI’s campuses in Shetland and the Outer Hebrides, and the pan-island Islands Centre for Net Zero, which will be based at the Orkney Research and Innovation Campus in Stromness.
Following the signing within Orkney Islands Council’s chamber, UK Government Minister for Scotland Malcolm Offord said:
Scottish Government Business Minister Ivan McKee said:
Councillor James Stockan, Leader of Orkney Islands Council, said:
Councillor Paul Steele, Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, said:
Councillor Emma Macdonald, Leader of Shetland Islands Council, said:
The UK Taxpayers' £50 million investment will be shared across the following projects: