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ACCUSATIONS THAT THE UK Government were not showing sufficient commitment to regional Growth Deals in Scotland have been dismissed following a Parliamentary Question at Westminster.

Scottish Government ministers have been suggesting this week that they may ‘go it alone’ on regional deals in Scotland amid suggestions that the UK Government were dragging their heels.

Moray is one of several regions who are preparing growth deals, hoping to attract similar financial boosts as those already under way in Aberdeen and Inverness.

Douglas Ross MP has been a strong supporter of Moray’s bid, organising a meeting at Moray Council to brief UK minister Lord Duncan on the progress of the Moray proposals.

Following the criticism this week, Mr Ross sought a statement from the UK Government on how it was supporting Growth Deals.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Ross criticised statements by the SNP in which they suggested they may go it alone. He said that a go-it-alone approach in areas like Moray “would be counter-productive and in the end deliver far less than a growth deal supported by both the UK and Scottish Governments”.

In response, UK minister Paul Maynard MP agreed, saying: “It’s really important as a Westminster Government that we support local growth in areas of Scotland.”

Commenting afterwards the Moray MP said: “I was very encouraged by the minister’s response. It follows a very positive recent visit by UK minister Lord Duncan who indicated strong support for the Moray Growth Deal.

“This shows that the UK Government remains committed to a partnership approach to deliver an ambitious and successful Growth Deal for Moray. I hope the Scottish Government takes note and ends this destructive and negative sniping.”