SFT's work for 2014/15 delivers £135m benefit
The Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) has published its latest benefits statement outlining where its work has delivered the greatest impact, placing the value of its work at £135m for the 2014/15 financial year.
SFT prioritises its efforts on achieving value for money in designing and building public infrastructure such as schools, roads and hospitals, or more recently on infrastructure for digital communications.
SFT also looks at where public sector buildings can be used more efficiently and effectively which in turn will deliver savings, carbon reductions, or create additional revenue.
Some examples of the impact SFT’s work is having, include:
- Managing the £1.8bn schools programme to allow five schools to be built for the price of four thereby benefitting 12,000 more pupils
- Delivering cost-effective ways to provide wi-fi access to social housing tenants for £1 a week
- Securing 3,000 affordable-rent homes
- Helping councils save £1.2bn by giving them the tools to invest in low-energy LED street lights
- Developing an innovative approach to attract £6bn of private sector infrastructure investment across Scotland’s cities
- Delivering award-winning, adaptable school designs to meet modern-day teaching methods
SFT’s digital document 'A look behind the number' provides more information on the benefits SFT is delivering.
Sir Angus Grossart, SFT’s chairman explained: “With no let-up to the pressure public sector organisations are under, SFT is doing all it can to squeeze the maximum value out of every pound invested and secure additional sources of investment in Scotland’s essential infrastructure.
“Central to SFT’s success in delivering £135m of savings and benefits this year has been the purposeful collaboration with local authorities, health boards and other public bodies across Scotland to unlock value from the numerous infrastructure projects they deliver.”
Barry White, SFT’s chief executive stated: “Ultimately, the impact of SFT’s work helps make a difference to people’s lives; whether that is helping secure future employment; opening up new training and apprenticeship opportunities; implementing initiatives to help protect the environment; expanding access to superfast broadband or by improving working environments by having flexible, well-designed buildings.
“In addition, the many projects currently under construction across SFT’s varied work streams are impacting positively on Scotland’s economy, with Scotland’s construction industry witnessing significant growth at over 18% for the last year.”
