MSP in call to bring forward building work

Nov 20 2008 by John Rowbotham, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON South MSP Tom McCabe has called on the Scottish Government to bring forward capital infrastructure projects to boost the construction industry and help offset the impact of the recession.

He was speaking in a debate in the Scottish Parliament last week on the Scottish Futures Trust, the vehicle which the Scottish Government intends to use to build capital projects such as schools, hospitals, roads and bridges.

Mr McCabe pointed out that full details about how the trust will operate have still not been revealed, holding up projects across Scotland that were expected to be underway by now.

Speaking after the debate, Tom McCabe said: “Jobs have already been lost, businesses are already finding conditions difficult and it’s the Scottish Government's role to step in and do all that it can.

“Does the Scottish construction industry and all those who work for it have to pay in jobs for the fact that (finance secretary) John Swinney and (First Minister) Alex Salmond can't get their Scottish Futures Trust to work?

“The Government need to take responsibility now to help people in Hamilton South and throughout Scotland, and use public works to minimise the impact of this recession.”