Minister defends new Forth bridge contracts

Transport minister Keith Brown has argued it is wrong to suggest no Scottish firms are benefiting from the new Forth bridge.

He was responding to reports that contracts for up to £40 million of steel that could have been produced in Scotland have gone to China, Portugal and Spain.

Mr Brown said: “Scottish firms the length and breadth of the nation are clearly already benefiting and will continue to do so – 118 Scottish firms have already risen to the challenge of working on this iconic project and the total value to Scottish firms is around £20m, with more to be announced.

“In addition, 870 out of 1,041 supply orders awarded on the principal contract have already gone to Scottish companies.

“For the avoidance of doubt, these contracts are awarded by Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors [FCBC], which includes Scottish firm Morrison Construction.”

According to Mr Brown, the project will support 1,200 Scottish jobs, securing 3,000 more, and every year will also provide 45 vocational training positions, 21 professional-body training places and 46 positions for long-term unemployed people.

The total estimated cost of the project is up to £1.6 billion, with £790m going to FCBC.