Local MSP, Ruth Maguire, and MP, Dr Philippa Whitford, have welcomed news that the SNP Government will continue to invest in vital infrastructure across Ayrshire – helping to boost the local economy and protect the area from the brutal cuts being imposed by the austerity obsessed, right-wing Tory party.
The Scottish Government has a strong record of investing in Ayrshire, with multi-million pound investment in the Acute Mental Health & North Ayrshire Community Hospital in Irvine, opening the new £53 million Ayrshire College campus in Kilmarnock, investment in new affordable housing and regeneration schemes, the continued roll out of superfast broadband, continued work on the Dalry and Maybole bypasses, the £30 million major redevelopment of Brodick harbour, new dual fuel vessels for CalMac, improvements to drinking water quality across Ayrshire and sustained investment in the rural economy.
Investment in Ayrshire would be significantly higher if the UK Tory Government matched the SNP’s commitment to the area – instead of a record of deep public sector cuts and lack of progress on taking forward an Ayrshire regional growth deal.
Commenting, SNP MSP for Cunninghame South, Ruth Maguire, said:
“It is clear that this SNP Government remains committed to investing in the local economies of Ayrshire – despite crippling Tory austerity and public service cuts.
“The choice facing voters across Ayrshire in both May and June is absolutely clear – do they want to elect a strong team of SNP representatives that will always stand up for the interests of their communities and with a track record of delivering vital infrastructure projects – or do they want to leave their communities at the hands of short-sighted, austerity-obsessed Tory representatives who are obsessed with cutting our vital public services and slashing investment in vital infrastructure projects?
“Only the SNP can be trusted to champion the interests of communities across Ayrshire.”
Commenting, MP Dr Whitford said:
“The investment made by the Scottish Government in Ayrshire is extremely welcome and shows the commitment of the SNP to improving local infrastructure and public services. Having seen community hospitals being closed in England, I am particularly glad to see the investment in North Ayrshire Community Hospital. Ayrshire now has three modern community hospitals bringing a range of outpatient services closer to patients.
“Having given their backing to the proposed Ayrshire Growth Deal, the SNP Government is clearly committed to continuing this investment in future years. Sadly, the UK Government is dragging its heels on giving its support to the proposal, which hopes to secure £350 million of funding from to develop projects across the region and help transform the economic prospects for the whole Ayrshire.
“The UK Tory Government is obsessed with cutting rather than investing and would rather fund tax cuts for the rich rather than invest in local services. The SNP Scottish Government is the only Government standing up for our local communities and public services.”
Ruth Maguire MSP 