This week sees the Scottish Government publish an infrastructure pipeline comprising more than 50 major projects and 30 programmes across Scotland.
The government says that these have been identified as the key capital investments for delivering growth, supporting jobs and keep Scotland’s economy moving “despite savage Westminster cuts to the Scottish Government”s capital budget” and the Chancellor”s Autumn Statement, which was “far too little, far too late”.
Alex Neil, Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment said the publication of the Infrastructure Investment Plan demonstrates Scottish Government action, but also underlines the “urgent and pressing case” for substantial new borrowing powers to allow even more investment.
Neil said: "This week I will publish a plan to invest billions in more than 80 major capital projects and programmes. They are all significant developments that will both boost growth and deliver a lasting legacy that benefits generations to come.”
The government estimates that every additional £100 million of capital invested per year generates £160 million worth of economic activity, supporting 1400 jobs in the wider economy for that year.
"All of these projects will signal a clear intent and provide the kind of solid foundations and certainty our construction industry demands,” said Neil. "With the Westminster cuts in our capital budget, and the Autumn statement providing far too little, far too late, our plan will have maximum value for taxpayers” money at its heart.
"But equally, the investment plan is ambitious, and rightly so. It could go even further, if the UK Government would go beyond the current insufficient Scotland Bill proposals on borrowing."
Background: Infrastructure programmes are sets of projects, such as the housing programme, or Schools for the Future, while projects are individual specific pieces of infrastructure, such as the Forth Replacement Crossing.
