Edinburgh and Glasgow urged to end rivalry
The Scottish Finance Minister has urged Edinburgh and Glasgow to end their traditional rivalry and work together for Scotland.
The cities, situated respectively on the east and west coasts of Scotland have long been rivals. Though Glasgow is the larger city with more industry, it is hampered by chronic social disadvantage. Edinburgh, on the other hand, is small with a large concentration of lucrative jobs in the finance and legal structures and hosts the Scottish Parliament.
Both cities, however, share the problem of businesses choosing to locate in London rather than Scotland and fears of a brain drain as many graduates head down south to seek employment.
Speaking in Glasgow today, Tom McCabe told an audience of business leaders that: “All of our cities play an important role, but there is no doubt our two biggest cities are the twin engines driving the Scottish economy. But they achieve so much more when they work together – that is how they can ensure their future success.
“Collaboration between cities is key to competing internationally. Other major European and world cities are the competition for Glasgow – not Edinburgh and vice versa.”
Mr McCabe also announced an additional £40 million of funding in 2006-07 and 2007-08 for the Scottish Executive’s Cities Growth Fund. The project, launched in 2003, aims to build opportunities in Scotland’s major cities and improve the quality of life.
Councillors from both cities have been working more closely together over the past year in an attempt to forge agreement on common issues – such as improving the transport infrastructure in Scotland’s central belt. Potential areas of more formal collaboration include tourism, market promotion and trade development.
