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 Infrastructure Investment Unit (IIU)
On 10 September 2008 the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, John Swinney, announced in the Scottish Parliament the establishment of the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT). The SFT has inherited a number of functions from units within the Scottish Government (SG) and in particular some of those from the disbanded Financial Partnerships Unit (FPU). The internal policy and strategy work of the FPU in support of Scottish Ministers however has been retained and will now be provided by the newly created Infrastructure Investment Unit (IIU). The IIU is part of the Expenditure Policy Division within the Finance Directorate.
The IIU 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 as well as providing support to the SG's Infrastructure Investment Group. The IIU also have sponsorship responsibilities in relation to the SFT. The precise management and financial arrangements for this are presently being put in place.