MIDLOTHIAN’S MSPS CALL OUT LABOUR ‘HYPOCRISY’ ON PFI PROJECTS

​Today, Midlothian’s SNP MSPs Colin Beattie and Christie Grahame described Labour’s recent stance on private finance initiative (PFI) projects as ‘hypocritical’. This follows calls from Labour for the Scottish Government to set up a debt disposal department dedicated to raising funds to buy out the total outstanding PFI debt.
 
In Midlothian, schools developed under PPP1 and PPP2 PFI initiatives will cost Midlothian £10.4 million in one year alone.
 
Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North & Musselburgh, said:
 
‘I am flabbergasted at Labour’s hypocrisy. They are responsible for this mess and now they think the taxpayer should pick up the bill.
 
‘Labour-led Midlothian Council is having to make cutbacks across the board and yet the party’s own politicians think nothing of adding another burden to my constituents.
 
‘The short-sightedness of PFI schemes in the first place probably suggests Labour can’t see how hypocritical this idea is.’
 
Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, said:
 
‘Labour brought this whole policy in and now have burdened generations of Midlothian folk with payments which should have gone towards better local services.
 
‘I have written to Danielle Rowley MP asking her the cost of the Buy-out of these schemes and if, in the unlikely event of a Labour Government at Westminster, it will pick up the tab and where that money will come from or is it from that large Labour Money Tree Jeremy Corbyn has on his allotment.’