Schools cash: 'We have yet to see the colour of their money'

Published on Wednesday 21 May 2008 09:26

IT is not before time that the SNP government has kick-started its plans to provide an alternative to PFI and PPP schemes which it has put a block on.

And it is not surprising that councils like Edinburgh have warmly welcomed yesterday's announcement of the formation of a new company to take the initiative forward. After almost a year of being in the dark over how the city would be allowed to finance the third phase of its schools refurbishment and rebuilding programme there is at last some light at the end of the tunnel.

Although it has been irritating for the council to have been kept in limbo over this issue there are many who are in full agreement with the SNP's decision to refuse to sanction such schemes. Critics claim involving private companies does not generally represent good value for the taxpayer and while they provide instant cash to allow projects to happen, a heavy price is paid in repayments over a long number of years. Two of the worst examples often quoted are in the Lothians – costly deals which saw a new ERI built and the construction of West Lothian College. In hindsight, both are considered by many to represent poor value.

But the problem is that until the Government delivers an alternative, the current 165 million cost of replacing or refurbishing a further five schools in Edinburgh is rising by the day. And it is almost certain that by the time the Government has its Scottish Future's Trust scheme up and running that the price will have risen considerably.

If, however, the SNP can deliver a scheme which ultimately proves better value for money for the public purse the wait may be seen by some to have been worthwhile.

But the city's education leader, Marilyne MacLaren, is quite right to be cautious over whether at last a solution is in sight. We may have been given a glimpse into the SNP's thinking but she rightly points out that we have yet to see the colour of their money.

The Government already stands accused of breaking its pre-election pledges over funding for more police officers and reducing class sizes. In their manifesto they made a clear commitment to matching Labour's school building programme brick for brick and this is one promise they cannot be allowed to renege on. Delivering a mechanism to fund such projects as new schools remains a priority.

In the meantime it is pupils in the city's crumbling and badly-equipped schools that are paying the price of the delay in doing so.