SNP calls for PFI inquiry as Amey reveals 31% profit

The Scottish National Party (SNP) is demanding an inquiry into the use of PFIs in Scotland after it was revealed that contractors were making healthy profits on projects.

Calls for an investigation by the SNP's shadow first minister John Swinney came after Scotland's first minister Jack McConnell revealed that Amey had made 31% profits on its schools PFI projects and other related contracts.
 
In his address yesterday, McConnell announced that Amey made a profit on its PFI contracts of £13.2m in the year to December 2001. The profit was based upon a turnover of £42.2m.

"Labour has repeatedly and deliberately refused to tell people what level of profit PFI companies make," said Swinney. "Now, following Amey's sale of their Glasgow schools interests, the profiteering on a massive scale has been revealed."

McConnell refused to commission the inquiry as a recent National Audit Office report revealed that the PFI route was more efficient than traditional procurement.

Swinney added: "He knows that any independent inquiry will find that his government has been lining the pockets of big business when it should have been spending this cash on improved public services."