CRAIG Hoy, a Conservative MSP for South Scotland, and Lachlan Bruce, the leader of Conservative group in East Lothian and local ward Councillor for Preston, Seton and Gosford, have today welcomed an £11.3 million investment from the UK Government for green regeneration at the site of Cockenzie Power Station.

The funding will go towards remedial work on the grounds of the site to allow for the site to be developed future for job creation.

The investment is part of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s policy of levelling up across the UK, designed to support projects that will drive economic growth, create jobs and help to restore people’s pride in the places where they live.

Ten major infrastructure projects across Scotland have today (Thursday) been given the green light after landing more than £177million in support from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund.

Local Conservative MSP Craig Hoy has welcomed the support from the UK Government – part of the biggest financial package which Scotland has received since devolution – and hailed it as “levelling up in action”.

The South Scotland MSP said: “I am delighted to see the UK Government investing into our local community.

“This funding is being delivered through Rishi Sunak’s Levelling Up programme and will allow for transformative work to take place at the site of Cockenzie Power Station, freeing land for job creation and green regeneration and in so doing supporting economic growth and future job creation.

“The Levelling Up Fund highlights how our country can collectively tackle regional challenges by working together as one United Kingdom.”

Local Councillor Lachlan Bruce added: “I warmly welcome this much needed investment in our local community.

“The site of Cockenzie Power Station has been identified as an area which the Council for future job creation, and this huge £11.3 million boost from the UK Government will enable jobs to be created in the area much sooner and frees up the Council’s budget to focus on other projects.”