Investment in new schools for 35,000 pupils

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2009-06-17

£1.25 billion is to be invested through the Scottish Futures Trust in new schools across Scotland.

The announcement, made in the Scottish Parliament by Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop will see the Scottish Government directly invest £800 million in new school buildings across the country as phase 1 of Scottish Government efforts to lift thousands of children out of crumbling schools.

From the SNP's election in 2007 150 schools have already been rebuilt or refurbished with 250 to be delivered by 2011.  This announcement sees the Scottish Government commit, with local authorities, to a further 55 schools.

Announcing the investment Ms Hyslop said; 

"This new investment will provide state-of-the-art schools for almost 35,000 young people. It will make the cost of replacing secondary schools much more manageable for local authorities and comes on top of the record levels of funding already being provided to Scotland's councils in the local government settlement."

"Work on the first buildings will start in 2010, significantly boosting economic activity up and down the country and generating or maintaining several thousand construction jobs.

 "We have already honoured our commitment to continue to improve the school estate – and this is yet another demonstration of that commitment. This Government has already signed off eight major local authority building projects since May 2007 and another three are in the pipeline.

"Now we are working with COSLA and the local authorities to take forward major capital investment through the Scottish Futures Trust. This will ensure schools will be learning environments which will enable the delivery of Curriculum for Excellence, providing opportunities for our young people to thrive during their school years."

Welcoming the statement SNP Leader of East Renfrewshire Council and SNP COSLA Group leader Derek MacKay said;

“We  are delighted will this massive injection into Scottish schools.  This announcement responds to investment need, and expands the options available to councils bringing forward radical proposals.

“As with any major investment finance programme, it has taken time, but the announcement is a major step forward and I am sure will be widely welcomed.

“PPP  was expensive and inflexible, so the funding announcement for the SFT alternative is very a welcome milestone indeed.”