Infrastructure investment in support of better and modern public services and growth in the Scottish economy is a top priority for the Scottish Government. The 2008 Infrastructure Investment Plan published on 27 March set out the Scottish Government's intentions for enhancing the fabric of Scotland. The Plan supports growth in the economy and modern public services and demonstrates the Scottish Government's commitment to efficient and fair funding across the country's infrastructure. The Plan contains an infrastructure investment programme of some £35 billion over the next 10 years to improve our schools, hospitals, waste disposal and treatment centres and our transport network etc. There is £14 billion of that money being invested in the current Spending Review period (2008/09 - 2010/11). The Plan also presents investment by Local Government for the first time.
Following publication of the Plan an Infrastructure Investment Conference was hosted by the Scottish Government on the 20 & 21 May 2008 in Edinburgh. The Conference provided an opportunity for the Scottish Government to present in more detail on the plan to the public sector and, particularly, the private sector.
The Capital and Risk Division (CAR)
The Capital and Risk Division is part of the Scottish Government's Finance Directorate. CAR works closely across the full range of portfolio divisions and other public bodies in providing advice and information to Ministers on public sector infrastructure investment. The key functions of CAR include sponsorship of the Scottish Futures Trust, Finance Directorate lead on carbon management, management of the capital programme, policy lead for financing the capital programme and secretariat for the Infrastructure Investment Group.