Funding for ‘overlooked’ Scottish towns to go ahead

Meanwhile, Scottish Borders Council has also received confirmation that £20m in levelling up funding announced for the area will go ahead.

Deputy leader Scott Hamilton said: “We had all of these fantastic projects but we were left wondering if they would ever materialise.

“We were all glued to the budget to see if there was any mention of the funding, and there was almost instant dialogue from civil servants to say the money was coming.

“There is both relief and excitement as this is a huge amount of money for an area like the Borders.”

The plans include business units in Eyemouth and Hawick, the refurbishment of town centre buildings in Jedburgh, and the creation of a hotel development site in Galashiels.

Dozens of village halls will be refurbished, bus routes enhanced across the region, and major improvements to youth services.