EDINBURGH AND SOUTH EAST SCOTLAND CITY REGION
With a population of 1.5 million people representing 26% of the total in Scotland, the region contributes over £43 billion of Gross Value Added to Scotland's economy.
The city region has a strong and successful economy on which to build. But there remain a number of issues that need to be addressed.
Prosperity and success is not universal across the city region. Too many children are living in poverty; there is a lack of mid-market and affordable housing; and too many people are unable to move on from low wage/low skill jobs.
The City Region Deal is addressing these issues; it is working to create new economic opportunities, meaningful new jobs and to reduce inequalities.
WHAT's IN THE DEAL?
The Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal is a 15-year, £1.6 billion programme designed to drive economic growth and create opportunities across the region. Now seven years into delivery, the Deal benefits from £600 million of equal investment from the Scottish and UK Governments, with regional partners contributing over £1 billion across five themes, shown below:
The partnership brings together six local authorities, four universities, six colleges and business representatives to deliver transformational investment across innovation, skills, transport, culture and housing – generating the greatest additional investment of any Scottish city region or growth deal.
PROGRESS TO DATE:
Over 22,000 job opportunities created
More than 5,500 homes delivered
Over £2.8 billion contributed in Gross Value Added
HOW IS IT BEING DELIVERED?
Through the City Region Deal, the Scottish and UK Governments and regional partners are working in partnership to deliver transformational change.
We are enhancing critical infrastructure, driving economic growth and creating sustainable communities across Edinburgh and South East Scotland through existing and new collaborations for strategic coordination across transport, housing and economic development.
The map below shows the location of City Region Deal projects:
HOW IS IT BEING DELIVERED?
Through the City Region Deal, the Scottish and UK Governments and regional partners are working in partnership to deliver transformational change.
We are enhancing critical infrastructure, driving economic growth and creating sustainable communities across Edinburgh and South East Scotland through existing and new collaborations for strategic coordination across transport, housing and economic development.
Our current Governance structure is shown below. There is more detail in the Governance in Section 3 of the Deal Document [PDF, 2.06MB].
Edinburgh and south east scotland city region deal governance structure (updated November 2025)
