Private Finance Initiative (PFI) projects: FOI release

Information requested

A list of PFI projects that the Scottish Parliament ended early since the creation of the Scottish Parliament, and if possible, the cost of ending the contract.

Response

I enclose most of the information you requested.

In relation to your first point, the Scottish Parliament has not ended any PFI contracts since its creation. However, there have been eight PFI contracts that the Scottish Government provided funding in support for that have been terminated by the respective procuring bodies. I have enclosed a list of these PFI contracts together with accompanying details.

In relation to your second point, while our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have all the information you have asked for as the two Local Authority Waste PFI contracts within the enclosed list were the responsibility of each authority which procured them including the final cost of ending the contracts. This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. However, you may wish to contact each Local Authority directly for this information.

In addition to your second point, the Scottish Water PFI contract information is available online as stated within the enclosed list. Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website(s) listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

PFI contracts terminated early

• The Skye Toll Bridge PFI contract was terminated in December 2004 with the procuring body being the then Scottish Office. The buyout cost was £27 million.
• The Inverness Airport Terminal PFI contract was terminated in January 2006 with the procuring agency being Highlands & Islands Airports Limited. The buyout cost was £27 million.
• West Lothian College announced a decision to terminate the West Lothian College PFI contract in April 2007. The buyout cost was £27.7 million.
• The Scottish Funding Council announced in January 2011, the decision to terminate the Stirling Further Education Centre (Forth Valley College) PFI contract. The buyout cost was £1.8 million.
• Dundee City Council terminated the Baldovie Waste PFI contract in November 2017.
• Dumfries and Galloway Council terminated the Dumfries and Galloway Waste Facility PFI contract with the transition arrangement concluding in November 2018.
• The East Ayrshire Community Hospital PFI contract was terminated by NHS Ayrshire and Arran in March 2021. The buyout cost was £12 million.
• Scottish Water bought out the Aberdeen Wastewater PFI contract in September 2022. Details relating to Scottish Water’s PFI contracts are published in their annual report and accounts which are available on their website at: www.scottishwater.co.uk/Annual-Reports

About FOI

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