REVEALED: PFI TO COST WEST LOTHIAN £18.6M IN 2025/26

REVEALED: PFI TO COST WEST LOTHIAN £18.6M IN 2025/26

REVEALED: PFI TO COST WEST LOTHIAN £18.6M IN 2025/26

LABOUR AND TORY INCOMPETENCE TO BLAME FOR COUNCIL TAX HIKES AS 19.4% OF COUNCIL TAX INTAKE SPENT ON PFI

Labour and the Tories’ disastrous PFI (Private Finance Initiative) and PPP (Public Private Partnership) schemes are expected to cost Almond Valley residents £18.6 million in 2025/26.

PFI/PPP is a method of funding public projects where private businesses build infrastructure like schools, hospitals, and roads, with the public sector then paying a monthly charge to those businesses for the construction and services. However, this approach has caused significant problems in Scotland, as the public continues to pay for projects while private businesses make substantial profits—sometimes paying above the odds for subpar infrastructure.

The SNP scrapped the scheme after coming to power, replacing it with the Non-Profit Distribution model, which capped private profits at 5%. New analysis has shown that a shocking 19.4% of West Lothian’s council tax intake was spent on PFI/PPP in 2023/24.

As councils across Scotland make difficult decisions on council tax, local MSP Angela Constance has highlighted the continued cost of the Labour and Tory PFI scheme to local taxpayers.

Commenting, local MSP Angela Constance said:

“We’ve known for quite some time now that PFI/PPP is costing the public an unnecessary amount of money—£17.56 million in 2023/24, a shocking 19.4% of the council tax intake in the same year - and predicted to rise to £18.6 million next year. That is why the Scottish Government scrapped it - but these contracts are still in place, costing the Scottish public over half a billion pounds this year.  To make matters worse - rumours are circulating that UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves could be set to reintroduce PFI across the UK.  We know that public finances are stretched as it is, with council tax rates set to rise this year due to the scandal that is PFI - don’t let Labour make it even worse.”

ENDS

NOTES

Sources: PPP/PFI projects, Scottish Local Government Finance Statistics (SLGFS) 2023-24

• Latest News