Argyll & Bute gets £70m boost in Rachel Reeves' budget

The leader of Argyll and Bute council says a £70m investment should help encourage more people to make their home in the area.

The Chancellor Rachel Reeves is bringing back the rural growth deal after setting out her spending plans in this year's budget.

Jim Lynch told Clyde 1: "We are very happy with the announcement and to have got a mention from the Chancellor in front of everyone at Westminster.

"Our main priority is to address the housing problem because that will help us to attract more people and stop the declining population especially on the islands."

The deal consists of £25m from the Scottish and UK governments as well as a further £20m from partners.

It'll help create 300 new jobs, attract 70,000 more tourists and restore the Rothesay Pavilion.

Jim added: "We want to work constructively with the UK Government and it was really important politics didn't affect this decision.

"It goes to show what can be done when politics is left on the shelf and I really hope this money goes some way to benefitting the people of Argyll and Bute."

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