Chamber
Plenary, 28 May 2008
28 May 2008 · S3 · Plenary
Item of business
Scottish Futures Trust
That is the direction of the Government's proposals and that is exactly what we intend to deliver. Indeed, it is at the heart of why we are doing this. We cannot continue to travel along the trajectory that the previous Administration set of increasing unitary charge payments. We are having to wrestle with charges that the previous Administration inflicted on us by its spending on and investment in PFI contracts.
Mr Brownlee talks of the possible options for the Scottish futures trust. He is, of course, aware of the enormous challenges that face the advocates of PFI, given the changes to the accountancy rules that the United Kingdom Government will introduce in 2009-10. Under those changes, all PFI schemes will have to come on balance sheet, thereby becoming a direct burden on the public purse. The changes will compromise the ability of those who argue for PFI projects to sustain that argument in the period ahead.
The Government's initiative demonstrates sound and prudent planning for what lies ahead as a result of the changes to the accountancy rules, which will be inflicted on us by the United Kingdom. The Government is planning to deliver the value for taxpayers that will see us through that challenge.
Mr Brownlee talks of the possible options for the Scottish futures trust. He is, of course, aware of the enormous challenges that face the advocates of PFI, given the changes to the accountancy rules that the United Kingdom Government will introduce in 2009-10. Under those changes, all PFI schemes will have to come on balance sheet, thereby becoming a direct burden on the public purse. The changes will compromise the ability of those who argue for PFI projects to sustain that argument in the period ahead.
The Government's initiative demonstrates sound and prudent planning for what lies ahead as a result of the changes to the accountancy rules, which will be inflicted on us by the United Kingdom. The Government is planning to deliver the value for taxpayers that will see us through that challenge.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alex Fergusson):
NPA
The next item of business is a statement by John Swinney on the Scottish futures trust. The cabinet secretary will take questions at the end of his 15-minute...
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth (John Swinney):
SNP
I welcome this opportunity to set out the Government's proposals for the establishment of the Scottish futures trust. In doing so, I wish to set the initiati...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
The cabinet secretary will take questions on the issues raised in his statement. We have around 30 minutes for questions. Time is very tight, because the nex...
Andy Kerr (East Kilbride) (Lab):
Lab
I thank the cabinet secretary for the copy of his statement.Oh dear, oh dear. What a wobbly Wednesday the Scottish National Party is having. Their plans for ...
John Swinney:
SNP
Given his party's name change from Labour to new Labour, Mr Kerr is an example of someone in a glasshouse who should not be throwing stones, particularly aro...
Andy Kerr:
Lab
I cited your policy document.
John Swinney:
SNP
On "Newsnight Scotland" last week, I did not say that the replacement Forth crossing would be paid for by a local authority bond. I said no such thing, but t...
Andy Kerr:
Lab
Do you want a copy of the transcript?
John Swinney:
SNP
I have a copy—
Andy Kerr:
Lab
Read it out then.
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
Order.
John Swinney:
SNP
I have the entire transcript in front of me—Mr Kerr should not worry about that. The transcript shows that I said what we have always said on the floor of th...
Andy Kerr:
Lab
Read it out.
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
Order.
John Swinney:
SNP
We have always said that we will set out this year how the replacement Forth crossing will be supported, paid for and developed. I say to Mr Kerr that there ...
Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con):
Con
We do not care what it is called; we welcome the pragmatic acceptance of the role of the private sector in public services, even if that is not welcomed by a...
John Swinney:
SNP
That is the direction of the Government's proposals and that is exactly what we intend to deliver. Indeed, it is at the heart of why we are doing this. We ca...
Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD):
LD
I thank the cabinet secretary for the advance copy of his statement. I enjoyed it a good deal more than I did the strategic business case—a document that The...
John Swinney:
SNP
The position that I set out to the Finance Committee yesterday is exactly the position that I set out in Parliament some months ago and exactly the position ...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
We come to questions from back-bench members. I emphasise the word "questions". We do not have time for preambles and there should certainly not be speeches....
Michael Matheson (Falkirk West) (SNP):
SNP
The cabinet secretary will be aware that SNP-controlled Falkirk Council led the way in developing the non-profit-distributing model. This week, the council c...
John Swinney:
SNP
My recollection of the experience in Falkirk, from observing the debate at the time, is that the previous Administration put obstacle upon obstacle in the wa...
Iain Gray (East Lothian) (Lab):
Lab
The cabinet secretary's statement contained little mention of the idea of local authority bonds. However, when the business case was launched, that idea seem...
John Swinney:
SNP
I rehearsed this point at the Finance Committee yesterday: we want to use the Scottish futures trust to bring together local authorities' interests in order ...
Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
Under the Scottish futures trust, will there be no repetition of the extortionate profits that were made under Labour's PFI? At Hairmyres hospital, in return...
John Swinney:
SNP
The volume of Andy Kerr's sedentary protestations at any mention of the PFI projects that he sanctioned suggests that he is a guilty man. Accusations are bei...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
Order.
John Swinney:
SNP
Under the Scottish futures trust, the Government is advancing a set of initiatives as part of the NPD model. Those initiatives clearly put in place constrain...
Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab):
Lab
Cabinet secretary, you may find that it was not actually Mr Kerr who signed off Hairmyres. Perhaps you will want to revise and check your facts before going ...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
Before I call the minister to respond, I remind members that all contributions should be made through the chair. That means that members should refer to othe...