PRIME Minister Theresa May delivered an early Easter gift to local people last week - when she agreed to commit to the Ayrshire Growth Deal.

The Premier made the statement in a whistle-stop tour of a factory in Ayr last Thursday before bundling into a car leaving newspaper journalists without the chance to question her statement.

The proposal read: “It is my mission to deliver a Brexit deal that works for Scotland and the whole of the UK, and today I’ve been speaking to workers here in Ayr about what our departure from the EU means to them.

“I am determined that the Brexit we pursue is one that strengthens the bonds that unite us - because I believe ours is the world’s most successful union. Scotland - with its diverse sectors ranging from wool, salmon and whisky production, to world-leading universities, tech hubs and cultural institutions - is such a significant contributor to our United Kingdom. I want to see it prosper as we forge a new role for ourselves in the world.

“That’s why we’re continuing to back Scotland and I am pleased today to announce we are opening talks over a new Ayrshire Growth Deal that should significantly boost the local economy and opportunities for people here.”

The Growth Deal has been on the table for a long-time, with parties across the political divide calling on the Conservative Government to agree to it and get the ball rolling for the people of North, South and East Ayrshire.

The three local authorities have been working in tandem to plan and try to deliver the deal, which could unlock investment, employment and regeneration throughout each area.

The three Ayrshire councils issued a joint statement following the announcement and all three welcomed the news.

It said: “The Ayrshire Growth Deal aims to take forward a number of transformational projects across the region.

“At the heart of the proposals put forward is Inclusive Growth - creating opportunities that benefit everyone across all of Ayrshire’s communities.

“The Ayrshire Growth Deal will provide significant investment in the key sectors of aerospace and space, life sciences, manufacturing and tourism.

“The Growth Deal team – which includes the three Ayrshire councils and national agencies, with support from the private sector – have been lobbying hard to gain the guarantee of financial support from the UK Government.

“The Scottish Government have made a firm commitment to progressing the deal.

Councillor Joe Cullinane, Leader of North Ayrshire Council, said: “We have developed projects, visualised how they will map out and how they will positively impact the local, Scottish and UK economies. It is been hard having these potentially transformational plans without being able to take them significantly forward.

“It is now fantastic that we have reached this stage and we’re excited about what it could mean for Ayrshire. We have worked hard to identify projects that will benefit not only our local economies but also the wider Scottish one too.

“Inclusive growth is key to these proposals and we firmly believe that the Ayrshire Growth Deal will deliver economic growth that will enrich all our communities.

“We feel these proposals are ambitious and would make a huge difference to the Ayrshire economy. We can now take these forward and that is really exciting.”

North Ayrshire and Arran MP, Patricia Gibson, has long been an advocate of the deal and what it could mean for constituents and, in a joint statement with Cunninghame North’s MSP Kenny Gibson, the pair welcomed the movement from Mrs May but want her to be more assertive with her promises.

The statement said: “Last year, Patricia Gibson led a debate on the issue at Westminster and the Ayrshire Growth Deal has also been raised at Prime Minister’s Questions and First Minister’s Questions, as well as with individual Ministers at Holyrood and Westminster.

“While the tentative support from the Prime Minister is welcome, the SNP demands that the UK government must go further than simply offering warm words and make the Growth Deal a reality, including agreeing to a timetable for delivery, which the Scottish Government and three Ayrshire councils have sought since 2016.”

SNP MSP for Cunninghame North, Kenneth Gibson, said: “This is welcome progress from the UK government, but the Tories must go further than just offering to ‘formally begin talks with local partners’ for a new Growth Deal for Ayrshire.

“The Prime Minister must agree to a timetable for delivery, which the Scottish Government and three Ayrshire councils have sought since 2016.

“Ayrshire needs this Growth Deal and while the Scottish Government have been strong backers of these proposals from the beginning, the Tories have blocked progress on a deal again and again. Ayrshire’s had enough talking, it’s time for action.”

Patricia Gibson, added: “The SNP has been at the forefront of pushing for this Growth Deal and I’ve consistently raised the issue at Westminster, including leading a debate on the Growth Deal and questioning the Prime Minister herself.

“The Tories need to stop just talking about an Ayrshire Growth Deal and get down to business. The Scottish Governmentis ready when they are; it’s time for some action to support our communities and the Ayrshire economy.”

Philippa Whitford MP for Central Ayrshire said: “After nearly 18 months of lobbying, I am delighted the UK Government has finally given a commitment to the Ayrshire Growth Deal. Although the PM stopped short of announcing funding, I am hopeful that the talks will result in match funding with the Scottish Government.”