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FOREWORD
BY THE CABINET SECRETARY FOR FINANCE AND SUSTAINABLE GROWTH
I am delighted to present this second Scottish Government Infrastructure Investment Plan, setting out our proposals for sustainable, capital investment across our nation.
It is the largest and most ambitious programme of capital improvement proposed by the public sector in Scotland, with significant investment planned in projects ranging from new schools to a new Forth crossing.
Taken together it will contribute to growing Scottish success, delivering on the Government's Strategic Objectives. It is good news for our nation and provides extensive new opportunities for delivery partners in the business community, whether in design, construction or the financial sector.
This Plan will also allow us to take forward our priorities on climate change including the delivery of increasingly high standards of environmental performance and design as we refurbish the public sector estate and requiring the same of all new buildings and investments drawing on public funds. This will ensure the built environment contributes to our commitment to reduce emissions by 80% by 2050. Given the lifespan of the infrastructure to be built, it is essential that account is taken of the projected impacts of climate change and adaptive action taken to address these.
Since our election last year this Government has been determined to work with Scotland to deliver much needed improvements in our public services and in the performance of Scotland's economy. This Plan sets out clearly the efforts across the public sector to deliver the more successful country we all seek. And, as importantly, it makes clear the central role Scotland's private sector has to play in the realisation of our ambitions.
Part of this partnership with the private sector includes our proposals for more effective funding through the Scottish Futures Trust. Over time I believe the Scottish Futures Trust will match the levels of investment previously supported by PFI and do so in addition to traditional public sector investment.
Our aim as a Government is to align national effort so we can achieve more and the Scottish Futures Trust and this Infrastructure Investment Plan are central to that approach.
I know that working together, public and private, national and local, we can take Scotland forward and deliver the sort of 21 st century infrastructure and services our nation expects and deserves.
John Swinney MSP
Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth
March 2008
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