Thursday September 3rd 2026
Glasgow City Chambers
Written by Glasgow View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Glasgow City Region has welcomed confirmation of £22.7million in year one funding through the UK Government’s Local Growth Fund – supporting business growth, skills and employability, and new commercial space across the Region.
The investment is the first stage of a total £60.9million investment over three years, split into revenue and capital allocation and targeted across three themes: enabling infrastructure, business support, and skills and employment.
The £6.9million year-one revenue funding will support the eight member councils to continue delivering established Business Support, Skills and Employability activity, helping people into work, supporting business growth, and equipping residents with the skills needed for the jobs of the future.
The year one capital funding will support two key programmes across the Region. £14.9million will go towards an extension to the Region’s Enabling Commercial Space programme, addressing a well-evidenced shortage of high-quality business space across the Region.
The remaining £833,000 capital funding will be used to develop a Green Business Support programme, offering SMEs grants of up to £10,000 to help them transition to net zero.
A third capital programme of Regional Projects of Scale will be funded in future years. Glasgow City Region is currently engaging with stakeholders and partners to develop a programme of projects that support the Regional Economic Strategy and Local Growth Fund priorities.
An Investment Plan setting out how the funding will be used by the Region was developed in partnership with the eight councils, considered by the Regional Partnership, and approved by Cabinet in May 2026. The plan was approved by the UK Government in August 2026.
Kevin Rush, Executive Director of Economic Growth for Glasgow City Region, said: “This first year of investment builds on established activity that is making a difference for people and businesses across the Region. The three-year programme will continue to support long-term growth across the eight local authorities, addressing skills gaps and creating opportunities for local people, helping SMEs to be more resilient and competitive, and providing space for businesses to grow and invest. We will continue to work closely with our member authorities and partners to ensure the Local Growth Fund investment delivers real benefit for communities and businesses across the Region.”
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said: “Today the UK Government is releasing more than £22 million to Glasgow City Region partners who know their communities best. These funds will be crucial for delivering business support, skills and employability programmes as well as creating high-growth commercial business space and regional infrastructure projects for housing supply, land use, and town centre regeneration.
“The UK Government is committed to empowering local communities by spreading power throughout the country. These funds will support local leaders throughout Scotland to create skilled jobs, help start-up businesses and revive our local high streets.”
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