A Highlands and Islands MSP has expressed amazement after it was revealed that the Scottish Government failed to make a single award of Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) to businesses in Argyll and Bute in the last three years.

Scottish Conservative MSP Donald Cameron said; “It is frankly amazing that not a single penny seems to have been received by businesses in Argyll and Bute from this fund in three years, while millions have gone to other areas in Scotland.

“There is a huge disparity between what businesses have received across the Highlands and Islands and what the Central Belt receives. And this is despite our area being largely made up of areas covered by the highest tier of grant available.

“Argyll and Bute is crying out for investment in our business sector as well as in our infrastructure and yet, once again, the Scottish Government and its agencies seem to be neglecting us.”

 Argyll and Bute Council’s Policy Lead for Economic Growth, Councillor Alastair Redman, added: “Argyll and Bute has many great businesses which I am sure would benefit from some investment, and we badly need a thriving private sector to attract young people and keep our communities thriving.

“The distribution of Regional Selective Assistance should not stop at the Highland Boundary line.”