SNP CONDEMN LABOUR'S SUPPORT FOR PRIVATE AND TOLLED FORTH BRIDGE.
"LONDON TREASURY'S PFI ADMISSION HAS LANDED SCOTTISH LABOUR IN IT".
SNP MSP Keith Brown today condemned Labour's commitment to using PFI to build the new Forth Bridge, which would create excess private sector profit – and even after the Treasury admitted that a PFI funded bridge "would not solve the budgeting problem if the scheme was classified as public spending" (2 January), given the new rules coming into effect in April which places all capital spending on balance sheet.
Mr Brown said that the cat was out of the bag, and Labour were supporting a tolled bridge – which Transport Spokesman Des McNulty refused to deny on 10 December. Mr Brown said:
"Labour in Scotland have been well and truly landed in it by the Labour Treasury in London. Incredibly, Scottish Labour support PFI to build the new bridge, despite the excess profits which make it more expensive, and despite the Treasury admitting that PFI 'would not solve the budgeting problem' now that the scam of removing PFI from the government's balance sheet is being brought to an end by new international rules.
"The cat is now out of the bag. Des McNulty refused to rule out tolling last month, and now Labour are advocating a privatised Forth crossing – which would be just as bad as the private Skye Bridge, with extortionate tolls and sky-high profits.
"The SNP has made it clear that we will build a new Forth Crossing by 2016 and it will be built in the public sector – with no tolls. That is what the people of Scotland need and want – and the Scottish Government will also fight for a fair funding deal from the Treasury.
"What the UK Treasury's response to the Scottish Government's sensible proposal has exposed is the importance of borrowing powers for the Scottish Parliament.
"The SNP's sensible approach to capital spending will ensure that the infrastructure we build is in the best interests of the public it is there to serve.
"Only this week we have seen the removal of parking charges at all hospitals except those built under PFI – demonstrating the very problems that occur when private profit is put before public good."
"LONDON TREASURY'S PFI ADMISSION HAS LANDED SCOTTISH LABOUR IN IT".
SNP MSP Keith Brown today condemned Labour's commitment to using PFI to build the new Forth Bridge, which would create excess private sector profit – and even after the Treasury admitted that a PFI funded bridge "would not solve the budgeting problem if the scheme was classified as public spending" (2 January), given the new rules coming into effect in April which places all capital spending on balance sheet.
Mr Brown said that the cat was out of the bag, and Labour were supporting a tolled bridge – which Transport Spokesman Des McNulty refused to deny on 10 December. Mr Brown said:
"Labour in Scotland have been well and truly landed in it by the Labour Treasury in London. Incredibly, Scottish Labour support PFI to build the new bridge, despite the excess profits which make it more expensive, and despite the Treasury admitting that PFI 'would not solve the budgeting problem' now that the scam of removing PFI from the government's balance sheet is being brought to an end by new international rules.
"The cat is now out of the bag. Des McNulty refused to rule out tolling last month, and now Labour are advocating a privatised Forth crossing – which would be just as bad as the private Skye Bridge, with extortionate tolls and sky-high profits.
"The SNP has made it clear that we will build a new Forth Crossing by 2016 and it will be built in the public sector – with no tolls. That is what the people of Scotland need and want – and the Scottish Government will also fight for a fair funding deal from the Treasury.
"What the UK Treasury's response to the Scottish Government's sensible proposal has exposed is the importance of borrowing powers for the Scottish Parliament.
"The SNP's sensible approach to capital spending will ensure that the infrastructure we build is in the best interests of the public it is there to serve.
"Only this week we have seen the removal of parking charges at all hospitals except those built under PFI – demonstrating the very problems that occur when private profit is put before public good."
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