Glasgow City Region and North East of Scotland will each receive £80 million in tax incentives and other support after being chosen as Scotland’s Investment Zones.

Focused around research institutions such as universities, they will focus on driving growth in priority sectors including technology, the creative industries, life sciences, advanced manufacturing and the green sector.

The two Scottish regions are the first Investment Zones outside England and Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove remarked on the “constructive approach” the First Minister and Deputy First Minister of Scotland had shown in the meetings with him in recent weeks.

However, the designation of the two areas will be seen as compensation for losing out to Cromarty Firth and Forth when the two green freeports were announced. The decision caused particular anger in the north east amid moves to wind down the oil and gas industry.

Mr Gove said: “We all have a shared ambition to work together to see all parts of Scotland thrive and today’s agreement builds on our successful rollout of Green Freeports in Scotland earlier this year.

“Both Aberdeen and Glasgow, and their surrounding areas, have been at the very heart of the UK’s economic success for generations. Shipbuilding on the Clyde. Oil and gas exploration in the North Sea and a leader in the renewable sector.

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