Capital priorities

AUDITOR-General Robert Black warns the outlook for Scottish capital spending is “sobering and frightening” (your report, 8 September). He highlights a fall in funding for capital projects in 2014-15 of £1.2 billion or 36 per cent.

Yet the Scottish Government’s newly-published legislative programme reaffirms a commitment to deliver the new Forth Crossing by 2016 at a cost of £2bn. To be clear, I support this project – but not at the expense of other categories of capital spending which are much more badly needed in the current economic climate.

Meanwhile, I have a real concern that the “innovative models” for funding affordable housing, schools and hospitals currently being pursued are in reality a move towards delivering such projects “on the cheap”, with a detrimental impact on quality and sustainability.

Public capital investment in high-quality housing, schools and hospitals must continue to be a critical plank of strategy to support recovery in the construction sector and the wider economy. Given the financial challenges, I hope the Scottish Government’s forthcoming spending review will include a root and branch reappraisal of spending priorities to ensure this remains a top priority.

Michael Levack

Chief executive, Scottish Building Federation

Edinburgh