With both the UK and Scottish governments making clear the fresh importance they are placing on economic growth, more focus has been on the role of cities and regions in England than has been said so far in Scotland. Are Scottish cities at risk of being left behind by their English counterparts?

In December, the UK Government published its English Devolution White Paper, outlining significant changes for English cities. Local government structures will be overhauled, and regional mayors will gain more control over skills, transport, innovation, and economic development policies. Funding will also be streamlined over several years.

Since 2014, Scottish cities and regions have benefited from UK Government funding programmes. There has been no shortage of initiatives. City deals, shared prosperity funding, investment zones and green freeports are all examples that have been delivered directly with local government usually in collaboration with the Scottish Government.

Glasgow City Region now has a strong track record of delivering projects designed and delivered through local partnerships. The newly opened Partick-Govan footbridge across the River Clyde, the wholescale regeneration of Glasgow’s Sighthill district, Greenock’s new Ocean Terminal to support cruise liners and Renfrewshire’s advanced manufacturing innovation district (AMID) next to Glasgow Airport have all successfully invested city deal funding.

The most recent examples of devolved funding are Scotland’s two investment zones in Glasgow and Aberdeen, bringing £160 million to each over 10 years. Decisions are currently being made in Glasgow to........

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