THE UK Government is being pressed to commit to a £358 million deal which would bring much needed economic regeneration to a part of Scotland.

Patricia Gibson, the SNP MP, spoke out after asking questions in the Commons to the Treasury team about progressing the Ayrshire Growth Deal.

The initiative has the support of the Scottish Government and mirrors city deals agreed between the UK and Scottish Governments for all seven of Scotland’s cities.

Gibson, the MP for North Ayrshire and Arran, has also held a debate at Westminster backing the deal.

“The UK Government must step up and support the Ayrshire Growth Deal as part of vitally important and much needed economic regeneration,” she told The National.

“Growth deals and city deals provide a really important spur to economic activity.

“The Ayrshire Growth Deal is essential. The deal is about securing investment of over £350 million to develop projects across Ayrshire.”