Dundee 'Wants Answers, Not Political Promises'

Business leaders in Dundee want political promises to benefit the city as Labour and the SNP squabble over the city.

The Scottish government's pledging a further £10 million towards the proposed V&A museum, the centrepiece of the waterfront development, after costs more than doubled.

Meanwhile, Labour's published a five-point plan to rejuvenate the area as part of a drive to win back independence supporters, which includes securing oil and gas decomissioning work in the Tay.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said the award underlines the government’s firm commitment to supporting the important regeneration project. 

He said: “V&A Dundee will be an iconic statement at the heart of the Dundee Waterfront development. The signature building will create local jobs and contribute significantly to the regeneration of Dundee and its waterfront, giving the city and Scotland a world-class design museum and visitor attraction. 

“The cornerstone of the ambitious Dundee Waterfront development, V&A Dundee is expected to generate more than 270,000 visitor engagements per year and contribute an additional £11.6 million per year to the local and national economy. 

“The £25 million capital funding we have allocated to this iconic project underlines the Scottish Government’s firm commitment to working with the project board to ensure its delivery, success and long-term sustainability.”

Labour's 5 Point Plan for Dundee : 

• Calls for Dundee City Council to work with the Scottish Government to bring a share of the £30Billion oil industry decommissioning jobs to Dundee
• Deliver the V&A museum project as an economic and cultural success
• Exploit the potential of Dundee’s £100 million digital industry to boost the local economy
• Raise educational attainment across the city
• Deliver more affordable and accessible sports facilities 

Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy is bringing his Shadow Cabinet to the Cidty of Discovery - the first time it's met outside of Edinburgh.

He said: "We can’t have a one size fits all approach to our country. The needs and opportunities of Dundee are different to the needs and opportunities of Glasgow or Edinburgh.

“But the opportunities open to Dundee are vast. It used to be known as the city of ’Jute, Jam and Journalism.’

“Now there’s a new emphasis through the growth of the games industry, the transformation of the waterfront and the investments in culture. Perhaps Dundee should now be called the city of ‘ video, views and the V&A.’  

"What’s needed is the plan, the purpose and the political will to deliver for Dundee.

“But Dundee is also a city which lives with pockets of poverty. The life chances and life expectancy of too many children are determined by the postcode they are born into. The city had the highest number of people using foodbanks according to a recent survey. That isn’t right and we shouldn’t accept it. That is why I want to raise educational attainment across the city and make sports facilities more accessible so the next generation have the chance to get on in life."

Alison Henderson from the city's Chamber of Commerce, is meeting Mr Murphy today: