Borderlands Conference 2019

MSP are delighted to attend this years conference held in Hexham, Northumberland.

The Borderlands Partnership was established in 2014 and since then has worked on a shared ambition to unlock the South of Scotland and North of England’s potential as an economic hub to encourage new business and job opportunities.

In September 2017 they set out with a vision for the future in ‘The Borderlands Inclusive Growth Proposition’ and sent it to the UK and Scottish Governments to consider.

Following the submission of a formal proposal in September 2018, the Borderlands Partnership welcomed the announcement of a £345 million deal from the UK and Scottish Governments in March 2019.

The signing of a Heads of Terms, with the UK and Scottish Governments, took place on Monday 1 July 2019. The Growth Deal is made up of £265 million from UK Government (an increase of £5 million since the funding announcement in March 2019), £85 million from the Scottish Government and £44.5 million from the local authority partners.

It is anticipated that this investment will deliver an extra 5,500 job opportunities, attract more than 4 million extra tourists and unlock investment in towns across the area, boosting the region’s economy by £1.1 billion.

As part of the next stage of the deal process, a formal Partnership Board will be established, which will include the five local authority leaders, a private sector representative from a to be established Economic Forum, and advisors from both governments and other private and public bodies.

The Borderlands Partners have been working to develop Business Cases since signing Heads of Terms in July 2019 and during this conference will share any progress.

To attend this conference click the link here.