NORTH Ayrshire and Arran MP Patricia Gibson questioned Prime Minister Theresa May about the Ayrshire Growth Deal - on the same day the parliament voted to hold a snap General Election.

During Prime Minister’s Questions last Wednesday, Patricia Gibson, challenged the Prime Minister to pledge her Government’s support for the Ayrshire Growth Deal, after the Chancellor of the Exchequer earlier failed to do so.

The MP was lauded for her speech, described by the opposition as ‘a 20-minute advert for the Ayrshire Tourist Board.’

Patricia said: “The Ayrshire Growth Deal is about securing investment of £359.8 million to develop a number of exciting projects which will create the conditions to achieve a step change in economic growth and prosperity across Ayrshire. It is already supported by the three Ayrshire local authorities and the SNP Government, as well as all four Ayrshire MPs.

“I asked the Prime Minister to pledge UK Government support for this Deal and work in partnership with the SNP Government and the three Ayrshire local authorities to improve the lives and prospects of all Ayrshire residents.

“The Prime Minister, disappointingly, failed to pledge any of the crucial support necessary to attract investment and jobs to communities which are still struggling to cope with the after effects of de-industrialisation.

“I have been pursuing UK Government support for the Ayrshire Growth Deal since I was elected in 2015 and brought this matter to the floor of the House at every opportunity. I will continue to campaign until the UK Government does the right thing and invests in the people and economy of Ayrshire.”

A parliamentary motion submitted to Holyrood calling on the UK Government to support the Ayrshire Growth Deal has not been supported by a single non-SNP MSP, while letters to each of the Regional List Tory MSPs seeking their support have gone unanswered.