Singing from the Rooftops: Celebrating the City Region Deal

To mark the recent release of the City Region Deal’s fifth annual report, a short video: Singing from the Rooftops, has been produced .

The Dunard Centre is being delivered as part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal as the sole project in the ‘Culture’ theme. In the video, we hear from those making this centre a reality, as well as Beth Malcolm, who shares why this space is so exciting to her as one of Scotland’s up and coming performers:

This is the first in a series of City Region Deal videos highlighting the people and organisations behind all the projects who have benefitted from the Deal. Future featured projects include data skills in primary schools, circular economy and low carbon in the Fife Innovation Zone, and a construction academy for members of the region’s Ukrainian community.

Five years of progress for Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal

Five years after it was signed by the Prime Minister and First Minister, the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal has helped 15,000 people secure employment, and improved the skills and knowledge of over 103,000 of the region’s citizens.

The delivery milestones are captured in the Deal’s latest annual report:

City Region Deal Annual Report 2022/23 (interactive version)

City Region Deal Annual Report 2022/23 (accessible version) [PDF, 2.48MB]

Significant progress has been made on delivering 3,500 new homes in Winchburgh. Over 540 mid-market rent homes have been delivered by Edinburgh Living, and nine new industrial units have opened in Fife, with more on the way in the Scottish Borders.

£3 million has been secured to improve regional bus services, and over 700 small to medium-sized businesses have been supported.

Some of the Deal’s impacts are captured in a video series, highlighting the people and organisations behind the projects. Featured projects include data skills in primary schools, circular economy and low carbon in the Fife Innovation Zone, and a construction academy for members of the region's Ukrainian community.

With an investment of £1.5 billion over 15 years, the UK and Scottish governments, along with regional stakeholders, are committed to enhancing transportation, housing, culture, skills, employability, and innovation across the region. This investment, in the region with more than 24% of Scotland's population, is one of the most ambitious deals in the UK.

At the fifth anniversary, 18 out of 20 business cases are approved and either in their implementation or delivery phase. Project milestones in the last 12 months include opening the National Robotarium in September 2022, launch of the Usher Innovation Community in November 2022, and completion of the Edinburgh Innovation Park A1 grade separated junction in May 2023.

 Councillor Euan Jardine, Convener of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Joint Committee, said:

 “The Edinburgh and South-East Scotland City Region Deal is a triumph of regional collaboration in delivering jobs, skills, opportunities, well-being and prosperity. It demonstrates what can be achieved when central and local government, higher and further education, and the business, social enterprise and third sectors work strategically and collectively. We are on track to significantly exceed the benefits anticipated through this transformative Deal and have exciting plans to maintain and enhance the region’s global reputation, become the Data Capital of Europe and to deliver sustainable and inclusive growth for the benefit of all who live in this diverse region.”

 UK Government Minister for Scotland Malcolm Offord said:

 “The Edinburgh City Region and South East Scotland deal has reached some remarkable milestones in the five years since its signing. We are already seeing the benefits the projects are bringing to the region through the breakthroughs in science and innovation and developments in infrastructure.

“The UK Government's £300 million investment continues to support the deal to deliver sustainable economic growth in South East Scotland, part of more than £2.4 billion to level up right across Scotland.”

 Scottish Government Wellbeing Economy Secretary Neil Gray said:

 “I welcome great progress since the Scottish Government’s commitment to invest £300 million in the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal in 2018.  These projects build on the strengths of the region’s economy, delivering improvements in innovation, housing, culture and critical infrastructure plus a new skills programme; unlocking opportunities for communities across the area.”

Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal - 5 Year Anniversary

With an investment of £1.5 billion over 15 years, The UK and Scottish governments, along with regional stakeholders, are committed to enhancing transportation, housing, culture, skills, employability, and innovation across the region. This investment will benefit more than 24% of Scotland's population, making it one of the most ambitious deals in the UK.

Celebrating the five-year mark, the City Region Deal has helped employ 4000 people and improved skills in 67,000. Strong progress has been made on delivering 3,500 new homes in Winchburgh, over 540 mid-market rent homes have been delivered by Edinburgh Living, nine new industrial units in Fife, with more on the way in the Scottish Borders. £3 million has been secured to enhance regional bus services, and over 700 small to medium-sized businesses have been supported across the region.

Watch our video, highlighting some of the main achievements over the past five years:

Sustainable Travel Employer Initiatives Funding and Tax Incentives published for employers

The City Region Deal is working to create new economic opportunities, jobs and to reduce inequalities across Edinburgh and South East Scotland. As part of achieving these objectives, the Workforce Mobility (WFM) Project is identifying and supporting sustainable long-term solutions, influencing policy and behaviour change to enable the reduction of transport barriers to employment, training, and further education in the region.

To support these activities, the WFM Project has drafted The Sustainable Travel Employer Initiatives, Funding and Tax Incentives document. This document details a set of measures and information to support employers in the promotion and investment in active and sustainable commuting of their employees. It contains detailed guidance on Fiscal Incentives and capital allowances available to employers for investment in infrastructure that supports more walking and cycling to work, and greater use of public transport by employees. This information will be updated each tax year and should be used as guidance only.

Download the Sustainable Travel Employer Initiatives Funding and Tax Incentives document (PDF, 616 KB)

View the Workforce Mobility Linkedin page and follow here for updates on Sustainable Travel Employer Incentives and Tax Incentives on Linkedin

Fast Followers Funding Secured To help accelerate Towards Net Zero

The Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal Net Zero Innovation and Delivery Programme has received Innovate UK funding to accelerate progress towards hitting Net Zero targets.

As the fastest growing region in Scotland, a 40% increase in new homes is needed every year. To transform both public and private housing to meet Net Zero ambitions, the region needs a well-trained workforce with the skills and capabilities for domestic retrofit and energy efficiency in new homes.

The current and future construction workforce crosses South East Scotland local authority boundaries, so it makes sense for all councils to work together with government, industry, City Region Deal organisations, colleges and universities.

This funding will allow the appointment of a Net Zero Innovation and Delivery Officer to: run feasibility studies on the skills barriers for Net Zero housing; maximise upskilling delivery; and avoid duplication of effort to create a common regional approach.

Fast Followers is part of Innovate UK’s Net Zero Living Programme, designed to help places and businesses across the UK to accelerate the delivery of the transition to Net Zero.

A competitive process saw 21 Local Authorities across the UK receive £6m funding from Fast Followers to help their areas to accelerate innovation, all with one aim – achieving Net Zero.

The projects are all designed to overcome non-technical barriers like citizen engagement or procurement.

Find out more on the Innovate UK website.