Johanna Baxter
Main Page: Johanna Baxter (Labour - Paisley and Renfrewshire South)Department Debates - View all Johanna Baxter's debates with the Scotland Office
(2 days, 19 hours ago)
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Mr Alexander
I apologise unreservedly for the unforgivable oversight of not beginning my contributions by wishing you a happy birthday, Mr Speaker.
The borderlands growth deal is driving growth, which is why the UK and Scottish Governments have approved a strategic reset. I assure my hon. Friend that we will endeavour to take forward the work as described.
Johanna Baxter (Paisley and Renfrewshire South) (Lab)
The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Douglas Alexander)
The Government are committed to boosting Scotland’s regional economies, including that of my former constituency of Paisley and Renfrewshire South. The Paisley and Renfrewshire economy will benefit from £39 million of city deal project funding aimed at Clyde waterfront connectivity. The project is predicted to deliver up to 1,400 jobs and attract £230 million in private sector investment.
Johanna Baxter
A very happy birthday to you, Mr Speaker.
Last week we heard the very disappointing news that the principal investor in the Paisley Centre redevelopment project in my constituency has been forced to withdraw from the project after years of delays and uncertainty. I have repeatedly warned that continued delays would put this project at risk, and it is deeply frustrating that those fears have been realised without, apparently, the SNP-led Renfrewshire council having any back-up plan. Will my right hon. Friend agree to meet me, along with local elected representatives and members of the Scottish Government, to see what we can do to get the project moving?
Mr Alexander
I know better than most the limitations of an SNP-led Renfrewshire council, and I applaud my hon. Friend’s efforts to bring this initiative to the fore. As the UK Government Minister responsible for local growth in Scotland, the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, my hon. Friend the Member for Midlothian (Kirsty McNeill), would be pleased to meet her to discuss how we can work with the council to deliver a vibrant and strong future for the town.