PFI deals agreed under previous Labour and Conservative governments are still costing Scotland over £1 billion every year. In one local project alone, what was estimated at £150 million is now expected to cost £764 million.

That’s money that could have been spent on frontline services.

I asked the Cabinet Secretary for firm assurances that Scotland will not return to these costly PFI-style models, especially amid reports that the UK Labour Government may be considering similar schemes again.

I welcomed the Cabinet Secretary’s confirmation that the 2026–27 Scottish Budget provides local government with a real-terms increase and record funding, and that the Scottish Government will continue to pursue more cost-effective alternatives that deliver better value for communities… not the expensive mistakes of the past.