SNP accuse Rishi Sunak of 'pork barrel' politics by targeting budget funds at Tory held areas
Levelling Up scheme that bypasses the Scottish government.According to the Treasury list of priority areas local authorities in South Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders have been listed for help in the UK government fund at the expense of areas of higher deprivation.The Dumfries and Galloway area is part of Scottish Secretary Alister Jack’s constituency and the Borders seat at Westminster is held by Tory MP John Lamont.The deprivation levels for the lowest three earning groups in the Borders is ten per cent and in Dumfries and Galloway the deprivation levels are at 19 per cent.In contrast council areas like Clackmannanshire, with 40 per cent deprivation levels, and West Lothian with 25 per cent deprivation amongst