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Cities investment overview: Scotland and Northern Ireland

A look at the projected growth of the regions with links to key investment opportunities and data for the main cities.

Scotland

Offshore oil and gas, alongside financial and business services, underpin the diverse Scottish economy, making it a highly productive region. A growing fintech sector is also taking shape in the east.

Whisky is, of course, a major industry for the country and contributes around £5bn a year to the UK economy.

Devolution has led to greater powers for Scotland’s government in Holyrood, Edinburgh, which in turn is increasing funding to cities across the country.

READ MORE: Regional investment guide to Edinburgh

Edinburgh was the latest recipient of a City Region Deal, with the Scottish government committing £300m to the city and its surrounding areas for development in transport, skills and housing.

If forecasts are correct, those plans could create 21,000 new jobs – not just in Edinburgh but also in the Lothians, Fife and other parts of South East Scotland.

READ MORE: Regional investment guide to Glasgow


Scotland: Projected growth 2017-2027
15.5%

total GVA

13.7%

GVA per employee

1.6%

employment

Source: Cebr/Irwin Mitchell

Northern Ireland

With a population of just 1.8m, Northern Ireland has the smallest economy of any region in the United Kingdom – just 2.1% of the UK total.

Public sector jobs account for 27% of total employment, while agriculture, construction, retail and manufacturing all play a major role in the private sector.

However, the region got a boost from new funding from the UK government last year thanks to the political agreement between the Democratic Unionist Party and the Conservatives in the wake of the election in June.

The UK government has pledged, among other promises, £400m over two years for Northern Ireland for infrastructure developments.

READ MORE: Regional investment guide to Belfast


Northern Ireland: Projected growth 2017-2027

9.8%

total GVA

8.2%

GVA per employee

1.5%

employment

Source: Cebr/Irwin Mitchell

Click here for EG’s guide to investment opportunities in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Main image: Design Pics Inc/REX/Shutterstock

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