New commission to advise on £7bn infrastructure spending
An Infrastructure Commission is to be set up to advise Scottish ministers on their plans to invest £7 billion in projects such as schools, hospitals and transport.
The First Minister pledged “the most ambitious long-term level of infrastructure spend that Scotland has ever seen” when she launched her programme for government last month.
The new commission will identify “key strategic investments” in Scotland to boost economic growth and support public services.
It will also be asked to report on proposals to create a Scottish National Infrastructure Company.
Business, trade union and local government representatives will be invited to sit on the commission, with further information to be set out as part of the Scottish Government’s economic action plan.
Confirmation of its set up came on the opening day of SNP conference in Glasgow.
Infrastructure Secretary Michael Matheson said: “We have already committed to increasing Scotland’s infrastructure spending to internationally competitive levels, and in establishing an Infrastructure Commission we will ensure that our additional £7 billion investment delivers maximum benefits to our economy and public services.
“The creation of an Infrastructure Commission was a key recommendation of the Growth Commission report and shows our commitment to make maximum use of all the economic levers at our disposal.”
