The Falkirk and Grangemouth Investment Zone Growth Deal will now be delivered over a 10 year rather than a 15 year timeframe following yesterday's announcement by the UK Government. From 2022, there will be £9m invested in the Investment Zone per annum.

The plans include a Sustainable Manufacturing Campus in Grangemouth focusing on capturing and using carbon and Industrial Biotechnology such as producing fuel from whisky waste and sugar beets.

Other proposals include a Centre for Excellence in Green Bus Technology including hydrogen, Community owned Solar Energy, Green Routeways and an Outdoor Art Park. These will advance Falkirk and Scotland's Economic Recovery and revitalise our Town Centres with a transport interchange in the centre of Falkirk and new tourism development on our canals.

Council Leader Cecil Meiklejohn said: "We welcome the announcement that the funding coming to Falkirk will be accelerated. Delivering over a 10 year rather than a 15 year period will ensure that the Falkirk area comes out of the current crisis well prepared to make a strong economic recovery.

"COVID-19 has had a devastating effect on our health, wellbeing and economy in 2020. Along with our partners, we are fully committed to focusing our plans on Net Zero and will ensure that once the current crisis is behind us, we can focus on creating a prosperous and sustainable future for all."