A new publicly accessible database has laid bare the financial impact that leaving the EU will have on areas around the UK, with Edinburgh Northern and Leith facing losses of £26.5 million.
The figures show that the EU has invested over £26.5 million in projects that benefit organisations in the constituency, including over £6.5 million in Nova Innovation’s tidal power research; £35,234 in Wardie Primary School’s 2020 Vision for 1+2 Languages; and £58,497 for Hibernian Community Foundation’s project, Striving for Equality in Women’s Football.
The EU invests around £5 billion a year in the UK, and over £600 million in Edinburgh. The European single market is around eight times bigger than the UK market alone.
Last week, the SNP announced that up to £18 million of European cash would be used by the Scottish Government to set up an Advanced Manufacturing Fund to help small and medium sized businesses.
Ben Macpherson MSP (above) said: “As these figures show, Edinburgh Northern and Leith has benefitted hugely from the strong relationship between Scotland and the European Union.
“EU funding has made a huge contribution to infrastructure, culture, and opportunities for young people in Scotland. This is just the latest analysis to confirm that Brexit is going to inflict major harm on our economy and our communities.
“Far from delivering extra cash for the NHS, as was infamously promised by the Leave campaign bus, Scotland faces losing out on billions of pounds of funding with no clarity from the UK government over how this will be replaced.
“Scotland voted against Brexit by 62% and Edinburgh North and Leith voted against it by a margin of 78. Being dragged out of the EU against our will is predicted to cause significant damage locally and nationally, and that is why the Scottish Government will keep arguing against Brexit and, at the very least, for continued membership of the Single Market and Customs Union.”
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