Body delivers £146m in cost savings

The Scottish Government body that manages procurement for public sector infrastructure projects said it delivered £146million in cost savings in its most recent financial year.

The Scottish Futures Trust (SFT), which has replaced discredited public private partnerships (PPIs) and private finance initiative (PFI) funding mechanisms, said it was on course to reach its objective of securing £500million to £750million of savings during the five-year corporate plan period, ending in March 2019.

SFT projects in the region have included Alford Community Campus delivered through SFT’s £1.8billion Scotland’s Schools for the Future programme, and Inverness College, funded through SFT’s non-profit distributing programme.

SFT chief executive, Barry White, said: “The economic and social impact of our work means we are securing employment, attracting investment and saving energy. These are some of the many positive and tangible benefits.”