MP Michael Moore has attacked the Scottish government for 'short changing' the Borders in its announcement of funding for town centres across Scotland.

While welcoming the cash which will be made available in Hawick, Mr Moore questioned the allocation formula used by the Scottish government which has seen every other Borders application lose out. He has also asked for clarity on which budget the funding is coming from.Michael Moore MP: Borders

Commenting, Mr Moore said:

"A great deal of effort went into the applications from communities across the region who will now feel short changed by this announcement.

"The cash for Hawick is welcome, but is not a proper answer to the demands set out in the town's Action Plan whish have been presented to John Swinney MSP on a number of occasions."

"The absence of any other cash for other towns is disgraceful. Based on the normal funding allocations for Scotland we have been short changed. After all the promises, Ministers must now be made accountable for their failure to deliver."

South of Scotland Libdem MSP, Jim Hume, added:

"Scottish Ministers have visited the Borders and particularly Hawick on a number of occasions to hear the real difficulties faced by residents, traders and local industries like textiles for example. It's therefore bewildering that only one town in the whole of the Borders has been successful in its bid.

"The money is of course better than nothing, but falls severely short of a much needed sustained investment programme that will create and secure future opportunities."