Call to use government cash in Edinburgh

FINANCE Secretary John Swinney is being urged to use some of Scotland’s cash windfall from the UK Government to fund major projects in the Capital.

Edinburgh South Labour MP Ian Murray said the Scottish Government should put part of the £395 million it received following Chancellor George Osborne’s autumn statement towards housing, schools and the new Sick Kids hospital.

Mr Murray has written to Mr Swinney to highlight “shovel-ready” projects in his constituency which would benefit from investment.

He said: “We have constantly heard the SNP government ask for money to invest and the UK Government has now delivered. Urgent projects, like local schools, many of which are at peak capacity for both catchment and non catchment pupils, affordable housing and the new Sick Kids hospital at Little France could benefit from this additional funding, which in turn would grow our local economy and reduce unemployment.

“I am urging the SNP government to kick-start these projects to grow the local economy and create new jobs in the capital city.”