REVEALED: LABOUR’S PFI TO COST MIDLOTHIAN £12.56M in 2026/27

FINANCIAL INCOMPETENCE SHOWS YOU CAN'T TRUST LABOUR AHEAD OF COUNCIL ELECTIONS 
  
The Labour Party’s disastrous PFI (Private Finance Initiative) and PPP (Public Private Partnership) schemes are expected to cost Midlothian residents £12.56m in 2026/27.   
  
PFI/PPP is a model of funding public projects where private businesses build public infrastructure like schools, hospitals and roads, and the public then pay a monthly charge to those businesses for the cost of the build and services.  
  
However – the scheme has caused significant problems in Scotland, as the public continue to pay for projects as private businesses make substantial profit - in some cases paying above the odds for subpar infrastructure.   
 
So far, the schemes have cost Midlothian £210.94m since being introduced – with an additional £128.60 m still to be paid off.  
  
The SNP scrapped the scheme after coming to power, replacing it with the Non-Profit Distribution model, which capped private profits at 5%.  
   
As Council’s across Scotland implement difficult decisions on Council Tax, local MSP Colin Beattie has highlighted the continued cost of the Labour PFI scheme to taxpayers.  
  
Commenting, local MSP Colin Beattie said:   
  
“We’ve known for quite some time now that PFI is costing the public a ridiculous amount of money – the actions of the Labour Party amount to an expected £12.56m in 2026/27, with £128.60m still to pay off.  
  
“That is why the SNP scrapped PFI after coming to power – but these contracts are still in place – costing the Scottish public over half a billion pounds this year alone.  
  
“We know that public finances are stretched as it is, with Council Tax rates in Midlothian set to rise due to the scandal that is PFI – that is the legacy of the Labour Party. 
 
"This just goes to show that whether it's in national or local government, you simply cannot trust Labour when it comes to public money." 
  
ENDS