• H2020
• Societal Challenges
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Glasgow has called on the UK and Scottish governments to match all EU-funding commitments to compensate for any funds lost in the wake of Brexit.

A new report published by Glasgow City Council pointed out EU structural and investment funds between 2014 and 2020 are worth £780m (~€863m) to Scotland and are ‘vital’ to economic growth.

UK Chancellor Philip Hammond has pledged that agreements signed up to the point of Brexit will be guaranteed.

However, Glasgow council has still urged it to match all EU structural and investment funding commitments.

The council’s report – titled Brexit and the Glasgow Economy: Impacts, Actions and Asks – also called for a commitment for London and Edinburgh to fund the EU research programme Horizon 2020 beyond 2019/20, and to clarify the immigration status of EU students for 2017/18.

Glasgow council also called for more effective collaborations on economic development and skills between the council, the Scottish government, its agencies and businesses to support higher levels of competitiveness, innovation and economic growth.

Councillor Frank McAveety, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “I believe that Brexit will confront Glasgow with major economic challenges. I also believe these can be overcome if special action is taken by the Scottish and UK governments.

“If that happens then the problems associated with Brexit can become an opportunity for economic growth and not a threat of crisis.”