Scottish Futures Trust accused of log jamming major projects

Scotland’s new public infrastructure policy has been accused of causing a “crisis in the construction industry”.

Detractors claim the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT), which uses a not-for-profit basis as opposed to PPP/PFI schemes, has caused a log jam of construction projects.

Labour finance spokesman David Whitton said no new contracts had been awarded since the consultation on the trust was announced.

“Is it any wonder that the Scottish Building Federation and others have been appealing to the SNP government to ditch SFT and allow contracts to be placed using existing funding models, including PPP/PFI,” he told the BBC.

“The construction industry is in crisis because of the hiatus in building projects.”

But the Scottish government hit back, claiming SFT would reduce project costs.

It unveiled two hub projects as the first SFT projects. The hubs will bring together local authorities, NHS boards and communities to provide purpose built facilities.

Finance minister John Swinney said: “Community hubs of this kind will demonstrate that SFT is capable of more effective investment planning, procurement and delivery to reduce project costs.”