04 March 2005
The Scottish Executive has published its first infrastructure investment plan, setting out a long-term, multibillion-pound scheme for improving Scotland's public services.
The plan provides for £3bn investment in transport infrastructure over ten years, £3bn to meet the target for renewing and modernising 300 schools by 2009 and a fund of more than £500m to help local authorities improve recycling and waste treatment.
In addition, £420m will be spent on the improvement of colleges and universities over the next three years.
A total of £500m is due to be spent on new major hospitals. The Executive says this is the largest hospital building programme in the history of the NHS in Scotland.
Further investment will be made in the regeneration of communities, including improvements to affordable housing and eradicating poverty.
Capital spending by the Scottish Executive is planned to increase by 5% each year from 2005 to 2008.
Over that period, the Executive plans to spend £8.3bn in all.
The investment plan has several aims. These include improving the co-ordination of infrastructure investment by geographical area between portfolios and helping the business economy by offering employment and training opportunities.
Greater efficiency in the delivery of services and better co-ordination with the private sector are among the objectives.
Finance and Public Service Reform Minister Tom McCabe claimed the investment would tackle damage created by years of underinvestment.
He added: 'Growing our economy is our top priority. We know only long-term funding will grow our economy and secure the improved quality of life we are aiming to achieve. Our record levels of investment demonstrate our commitment to sustained long-term growth in Scotland's infrastructure through capital investment.'
Ian Duff, chief economist for the Scottish Council for Development and Industry, said Scotland's infrastructure lagged some way behind the country's economic competitors.
'Only sustained investment and close co-operation between the public and private sectors will enable us to catch up,' he added.
PFmar2005
