Infrastructure Investment

5th December 2011

The Scottish Government will this week publish an infrastructure pipeline of more than 50 major projects and 30 programmes across Scotland.

These have been identified as the key capital investments that will deliver growth, support jobs and keep our economy moving - despite savage Westminster cuts to the Scottish Government's capital budget and the Chancellor's Autumn Statement providing 'far too little, far too late'.

Alex Neil, Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment said the publication of the Infrastructure Investment Plan will demonstrate Scottish Government action, but also underline the urgent and pressing case for substantial new borrowing powers to allow even more investment.

Mr Neil said:"This week I will publish a plan to invest billions in more than 80 major capital projects and programmes that will keep Scotland's economy moving.

"They are all significant developments that will both boost growth, and deliver a lasting legacy that benefits generations to come.

"It will also provide crucial support for employment, with every additional £100m of capital we invest per year estimated to generate £160 million worth of economic activity and support 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.

"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."

NOTE: 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.