The SNP has claimed Aberdeen was “swindled” by the UK Government in the funding of the City Region Deal.
New figures have revealed Westminster is spending just £550 per head in Aberdeen – less than half the amount on similar deals south of the border.
Local MSP Kevin Stewart branded the revelation a “insult” to residents of the Granite City and argued they have been given a “duff deal” compared to their counterparts in places such as Manchester and Bristol.
But the Scotland Office hit back immediately, claiming Mr Stewart was “politicking” rather than “making a real difference to the area’s economy”.
The £250m City Region Deal was announced at the end of last month, with both Westminster and Edinburgh stumping up half the money.
The SNP administration also announced plans to invest £254m in infrastructure in the north-east and have appealed to Scottish Secretary David Mundell to match that funding.
Mr Stewart said: “Despite big promises from David Cameron, the UK Government’s announcement came as a total damp squib.
“In the end, it came down to the SNP to come up with a further £379m – three times as much as the Tories were willing to invest – which will make a real difference to the city and the region.
“Westminster’s paltry contribution came as an insult to local people who have witnessed billions of pounds in North Sea oil revenues flow from Aberdeen to the London Treasury over the years.
“They thought it was payback time. But now, it seems Aberdonians have been swindled out of up to £1,500 per person in this duff deal.
“It is high time that Scottish Secretary David Mundell took a reality check and asked himself whether he really thinks the Aberdeen City Deal represents good value for people in the north-east.”
The UK Government spent the equivalent of £1,207 per head in Bristol, while in Manchester, that figure increased to £2,130 per head.
A UK Government spokeswoman said: “The £250m Aberdeen City Deal, plus the private sector funds it will leverage, and the additional support for the oil industry announced by the Prime Minister, amounts to a fantastic deal.
“In all, the package could unlock more than £1bn, and will make a huge difference to the north-east economy.
“The Scottish Government is, of course, free to provide additional funding to pay for devolved responsibilities, and we welcome the additional devolved spending unlocked by the City Deal.
“The key is for both governments to come together to use their respective powers to support the north-east.
“The Aberdeen City Deal is about making a real difference to the area’s economy.
“It should not be about politicking.”