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Daily Record
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
SNP and Labour spending row as Nationalists claim £100bn 'wasted' since general election
It comes after figures released earlier this week showed that £91.4bn in tax receipts was raised in Scotland last year, with £117.6 billion forked out in public spending. The SNP and Labour are in a spending row after the Nationalists claimed that the UK Government has wasted £100 billion since the general election. New SNP research says Labour has wasted the billions in lost revenues from tax evasion, Brexit, Private Finance Initiative (PFI) schemes, nuclear power stations and High Speed Rail 2 (HS2). But Labour hit back, saying "these back of a fag packet numbers are nonsense" and blasting the SNP for having "squandered that money and wasted millions on ferries which have never sailed and a prison which is ten times over budget". It comes after figures released earlier this week showed that £91.4bn in tax receipts was raised in Scotland last year, with £117.6 billion forked out in public spending. This means the Scotland spends £26bn - 11.6 per cent - more than it brings in via tax. The UK as a whole spends 5.1 per cent more than it brings in. SNP Scotland Office spokesperson Stephen Gethins said: 'The eye watering £100 billion figure is a combination of economic self-harm and incompetence – Westminster has truly become a Wastemonster. This £100 billion of Westminster waste exposes the raw reality of a Britain that is bust and broken – a Brexit Britain that Scotland is paying a heavier and heavier price for. 'From the crippling costs of being isolated outside the European Union, to the ongoing price of Labour's botched PFIs, to a Westminster system that treats economic development outside the South-East of England as an afterthought – Scotland's potential and our prosperity will always be wasted by Westminster. 'For years, Westminster politicians have lectured those of us in Scotland about sound financial management – this research gives £100 billion reasons why they are in no position to lecture our country on economic competence." The bulk of the alleged waste came from Brexit and tax avoidance. The Nationalists said that £46.8bn had been wasted on the tax gap - which is the difference between expected and actual tax collected by HMRC. The party also cited a recent reported from the Centre of European Reform think tank which said the lost tax revenue because of Brexit was £40bn. Labour MP for Central Ayrshire Alan Gemmell said: "In a week when the SNP's plans for £14bn of cuts to Scottish public services have been laid bare, these back of a fag packet numbers from John Swinney are nonsense. The Labour UK Government has provided more funding for Scotland than at any point in the history of devolution, £9.1bn extra over the next three years. "The SNP have squandered that money and wasted millions on ferries which have never sailed and a prison which is ten times over budget. Their incompetence has left 1 in 6 Scots on an NHS waiting list and 10,000 children in temporary accommodation." The cost of the Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa ferries rose to £460m earlier this year - more than four times the £97m contract. The new Barlinnie jail in Glasgow is set to cost £1bn, despite original estimates saying it would only be £100m.
The Herald Scotland
16-07-2025
- General
- The Herald Scotland
£10m commitment to Edinburgh Seafield sewage stench delayed
'People are unhappy,' said Jim Scanlon, chair of Leith Links Community Council, who has had to take on the responsibility of collecting odour reports. 75 were received in May, compared to 12 in the same period last year, he said. 'From May and June the number of reports made through the community council website are much higher than this period last year,' he said. 'They [Scottish Water] will put that down to climate change and dry periods, but the fact that's annoying us is that they've had this £10m and nothing has been done. 'It's maybe going to cost double that now, just with rising inflation and building costs since Covid.' Mr Scanlon said that in a recent meeting with Scottish Water bosses he was told, 'they were just going to tender,' adding: 'My question to them was that if you're just tendering at the moment the process could take two or three months. In which case you'd be looking at October, November. So it's drifting into 2026. 'We find that totally unacceptable.' Scottish Water was unable to say when work would start, but it is expected to issue an update with a project timeline and a new cost estimate once a contractor is assigned to the job. The water body told The Herald it remained 'committed to investing in Seafield'. Eileen Simpson is a long-time resident of Pirniefield, one of the neighbourhoods worst affected by the 'Seafield stench'. Describing what it's like living near the plant she said: 'It's dreadful, we can't use the garden at times, we're not as bad as down near Seafield but there are pockets where it's particularly bad and sometimes it spreads away up Easter Road. 'With this commitment of £10m I think there's a bit of complacency setting in and we were just trusting them [Scottish Water]. 'People's lives are being really badly impacted by it.' Read more: Scottish Water spending had 'shortcomings' minister admits Mr Scanlon said: 'People can't go into their gardens, they have to shut their windows - it basically means when they invite friends round it's embarrassing because it just stinks and it affects people's mental health and well-being.' Ms Simpson, who also sits on the community council, said she felt there wasn't 'a practice of openness and transparency' from the public body 'in the way they should be'. She called for an emergency meeting with stakeholders to find out more about 'what's happening about the £10m' a 'transparent discussion' with the community council, Scottish Government and city council 'about the plans for the next period'. Scotland's largest waste water treatment facility, Seafield serves Edinburgh and the wider Lothians, playing a key role in the country's water infrastructure. Since 1999, it has been operated by French company Veolia under a PFI (Private Finance Initiative) contract which expires in 2029. Odour issues have persisted for decades, though are said to have eased following a £25m odour improvement plan in 2010. However complaints have continued since. The problem is worse after warm, dry spells when there is a lack of water to treat sewage and is septic by the time it arrives in the settlement tanks on the banks of the Firth of Forth. A further £10m was announced following an odour review at Seafield in 2018 and will be used to 'add additional capacity to the treatment process and ensure that odorous sewage waste is moved as quickly as possible from open areas to covered, odour extracted areas,' according to Scottish Water. Ben Macpherson, Edinburgh Northern and Leith MSP, said the delays to the project were 'disappointing' but could be attributed to 'external market challenges'. Mr Macpherson chairs the Seafield Stakeholders Group which brings together Scottish Water, Veolia, Edinburgh Council, SEPA and community representatives to discuss the operation of the plant, odour incidences and future investment. Seafield has been run by French company Veolia since 1999 under a PFI contract expiring in 2029 (Image: Scottish Water) He said: 'It's unfair that local residents have experienced unpleasant odours at times during recent weeks and months. 'While it is appreciated that this was mostly due to the exceptionally dry weather we had recently, the amount of complaints during the last months does also underline the importance of the planned investment by Scottish Water into the plant, to make sure the odour risk is meaningfully reduced as much and as soon as possible, in the near future.' The backbench SNP MSP asked the government for an update on the investment in the Scottish Parliament last month. Acting climate action minister, Alasdair Allan, told Mr Macpherson contractual obligations for the delivery of the £10m investment by Scottish Water lie with Veolia until 2029. The minister said: 'Scottish Water remains committed to delivering improvements for customers and will keep community representatives updated through the Seafield stakeholder group. 'Scottish Water is at an early stage in developing its plans to ensure a smooth transition of operational responsibility once the PFI contract expires.' Scottish Water has committed to building a new 'state-of-the-art facility' to replace Seafield after 2030 once it takes back control of the plant 'to meet the expected changing demands, population growth, replacement of equipment and new emerging technologies in wastewater treatment'. Mr Scanlon and Ms Simpson recalled a representative from the water body saying in a 2020 meeting around £100m would be spent on this project, however this figure was not confirmed by the organisation. More from our Edinburgh correspondent: 'They said £100m, it wasn't just me that heard that,' Mr Scanlon said. 'There were various other people that had heard that but when we got the minutes recently of that meeting there was no mention of it. It's disappeared.' Ms Simpson said: 'They're not being specific anymore - it was £100m, we've never seen it publicly in writing although three of four of us heard it. Everybody at the meeting heard it.' However she added it didn't matter how much was spent as long as it was 'enough to meet the needs for a state-of-the art plant for the whole of this area,' which she noted was set to grow with 2,700 new homes planned for the waterfront at Seafield, directly beside the sewage treatment facility. A Scottish Water spokesperson said: 'We are committed to investing in Seafield so that it will continue to serve as the primary treatment facility, with significant upgrades and improvements required to meet future demand and serve our customers into the next decades of this century.' 'We look forward to working constructively with the local community and stakeholders to address concerns and share progress.'
Sinar Daily
25-06-2025
- Business
- Sinar Daily
Unveiling Kota Madani: Inside Putrajaya's RM4 billion smart, sustainable, car-free city
PUTRAJAYA – The RM4 billion Kota Madani development project in Precinct 19, Putrajaya, is poised to be one of Malaysia's most ambitious and transformative urban undertakings. Announced under the Madani framework by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the project is designed to reinforce Putrajaya's identity as a people-centric, sustainable federal capital. The project, announced under the Madani framework by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, is designed to reinforce Putrajaya's identity as a people-centric, sustainable federal capital. What is Kota Madani? Spanning 41.28 hectares, the high-density township will not only house 10,000 government quarters and up to 35,000 residents but also integrate artificial intelligence (AI), green mobility and next-generation digital infrastructure into every aspect of city life. According to Putrajaya Corporation (PPj) president Datuk Fadlun Mak Ujud, the estimated RM4 billion development cost will be funded via a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) under the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) model. Putrajaya Holdings (PJH) has been appointed as the master developer, with the project structured under a Build–Lease–Maintain–Transfer (BLMT) model to ensure long-term sustainability and reduce the financial burden on the government. The township will feature high-density vertical housing, AI-supported building management systems, high-speed digital connectivity and a green mobility ecosystem that includes EV infrastructure, cycling lanes and pedestrian-friendly streets. Photo illustrated by Sinar Daily. 'The government has decided to proceed with this project using PFI and the Cabinet has approved PJH as the implementing body for the project, with a development budget of RM4 billion sanctioned by the government,' Fadlun said during a media briefing. He clarified that the Public-Private Partnership Unit (UKAS) under the Prime Minister's Department will oversee all expenditures through a rigorous value assessment process. 'The government always considers cost-saving measures, but the objective of providing facilities, especially for civil servants and those working in Putrajaya, remains a priority,' he said. According to the Malaysian Institute of Planners president Datin Mazrina Abdul Khalid, the inclusion of these 'green' elements forms the core foundation of the township's design philosophy. When Does It Start? Phase 1 of the project, scheduled to commence in the third quarter of 2025, will comprise approximately 3,000 high-rise residential units and an eight-story secondary school. The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled to take place this Thursday, officially launching the construction process. These initial components are expected to be completed and fully operational by the end of 2027. Tenders for contractors and stakeholders will also be opened soon, with PJH conducting a transparent open bidding process. Contracts will be awarded based on merit, particularly the bidder's technical capabilities, experience with green development and ability to deliver smart-city infrastructure in line with Putrajaya's vision. Kota Madani will be developed in three main phases. According to Putrajaya Corporation (PPj) president Datuk Fadlun Mak Ujud, the estimated RM4 billion development cost will be funded via a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) under the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) model. Phase 1 (including Sub-Phases 1A and 1B) will focus on initial housing and educational infrastructure. The subsequent phases will roll out more housing units and community services, bringing the total to around 10,000 quarters once fully complete. The development is expected to set a benchmark for urban planning not only in Putrajaya but across Malaysia, offering a scalable model that combines digital, environmental and social priorities in a unified, livable ecosystem. A Staggering RM4 Billion Cost But what exactly accounts for the RM4 billion cost? Fadlun clarified that beyond construction, the figure includes integrated digital and AI systems, sustainable transportation infrastructure, energy-efficient housing design and lifetime maintenance of the government quarters. The township will feature high-density vertical housing, AI-supported building management systems, high-speed digital connectivity and a green mobility ecosystem that includes EV infrastructure, cycling lanes and pedestrian-friendly streets. Key public amenities such as a health clinic, fire station, police station, mosque,and financial institutions will be placed within walkable proximity to residential blocks, creating a self-contained township. The development also integrates energy-efficient features and low-carbon initiatives to support environmentally responsible urban living. According to the Malaysian Institute of Planners president Datin Mazrina Abdul Khalid, the inclusion of these 'green' elements forms the core foundation of the township's design philosophy. Despite the hefty RM4 billion price tag, under the BLMT model, the government does not directly bear the cost of maintenance, which will be financed and managed over the long term as part of the private investment agreement. The repayment schedule and oversight will also be coordinated by UKAS. A Car-Free Environment While it may seem like any other residential development project, Kota Madani is set to break new strides in Malaysia's residential landscape with a car-free concept. As Mazrina further elaborated, vehicles will be permitted within the precinct, but their movement will be entirely underground. "Cars will immediately descend to the basement when they enter Kota Madani and will be parked in a three-story underground parking structure. "Above that, starting from the podium level, every area is a car-free zone reserved solely for pedestrians,' she said. This layout allows residents to experience everyday life without the hazards or disruptions of vehicular traffic. Schools, mosques, community hubs, shops and recreational areas are all within walking distance. 'Imagine being able to walk from home to your child's school, to the market, to the playground, to the community centre or to the mosque without crossing any roads or traffic lanes,' Mazrina quipped. The goal is to ensure that all essential amenities are just a ten to fifteen minute walk away. Kota Madani is not only people-focused but also technologically advanced as it will incorporate smart-city features including artificial intelligence for surveillance and facilities management. Sustainable practices such as solar energy use, rainwater harvesting, rooftop gardens and community allotments are also integrated into the design, reinforcing its low-carbon ambition. Kota Madani, Beyond the Horizon Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa affirmed that the name 'Kota Madani' will be retained, in alignment with the aspirations of the current Unity Government. Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa affirmed that the name 'Kota Madani' will be retained, in alignment with the aspirations of the current Unity Government. She said that the project transcends political cycles and is deeply rooted in a forward-thinking, inclusive development framework. 'The CHASE City Healthy, Advanced, Safe and Eco-Friendly has been comprehensively incorporated, as introduced by the Federal Territories Department. "If we successfully implement this concept in Putrajaya, it may be expanded to other locations,' she said. Mazrina, who is also the Urban SCALE Studio Sdn Bhd managing director, echoed this sentiment, stating that Kota Madani's masterplan draws inspiration from Malaysia's architectural heritage while embracing modern urban design principles. 'Kota Madani goes beyond conventional housing. It is a forward-looking model for smart, sustainable and inclusive development,' she said.
Barnama
24-06-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Kota MADANI Project To Begin In 3Q, Costing RM4 Bln
REGION - CENTRAL > NEWS PUTRAJAYA, June 24 (Bernama) -- The phased development of Kota MADANI in Precinct 19, Putrajaya — a government quarters project — is set to begin in the third quarter (3Q) of this year, with an estimated total cost of RM4 billion. Putrajaya Corporation (PPj) president, Datuk Fadlun Mak Ujud, said the project is a federal government initiative following an in-depth study which identified an urgent need for affordable housing, particularly for civil servants. "The government has agreed for the development to proceed under a Private Finance Initiative (PFI), and Putrajaya Holdings Sdn Bhd (PjH), a subsidiary of Petronas, has been appointed to implement the project. The development cost approved by the government is around RM4 billion," he told reporters during a Kota MADANI briefing attended by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories), Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, here today. bootstrap slideshow Fadlun said all development costs will be detailed in a definitive agreement and thoroughly scrutinised by the Public Private Partnership Unit (UKAS), including through value engineering processes to ensure cost efficiency and effectiveness of public investment. "This project is based on the build, lease, maintain and transfer (BLMT) concept, meaning the government does not directly bear the maintenance costs of the quarters but pays through a long-term lease as set by the government. Therefore, the financial burden is significantly lower compared to current models. "This is the approach being introduced for the development of quarters, and the repayment period will also be determined by UKAS. The government is carefully reviewing all implementation costs of this project," he said. Fadlun added that the first phase of the development, beginning this September, will comprise 3,000 residential units under phases 1A and 1B, along with a vertical school expected to be completed by 2027 — allowing educational facilities to operate concurrently with the completion of housing. He said an open tender process will soon be carried out by PjH, stressing that the government will not be directly involved in contractor selection but will closely monitor overall costs and the approved budget ceiling. Occupying 41.28 hectares, Kota MADANI will feature 10,000 high-density vertical residential units for more than 30,000 residents.
Telegraph
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Adam Curtis's thrilling, maddening and soul-destroying portrait of a faithless, jaded nation
To try to explain what Adam Curtis's latest documentary series is about is like trying to build an igloo out of jelly. In one sense, Shifty (BBC iPlayer) has a simple premise – a jaunty yet thumpingly depressing trot through 20 years of British politics and economics (1979-1999), from Thatcher and monetarism to Blair and the Private Finance Initiative. It is, as the blurb has it, about how 'extreme money and hyper-individualism… undermined the fundamental structures of mass democracy'; it's about how and why British society is now so fragmented, atomised and siloed. Yet that barely scratches the surface of this gloriously obtuse series. It's like being talked at for six hours by a coked-up bipolar genius at an aggressively loud house party. It is a thrilling, maddening, brilliant and soul-destroying portrait of a faithless, jaded nation. As the five episodes take us chronologically through 20 years of British economic policy, leaning heavily on Thatcher's premiership, Shifty has a more traditional shape than many of Curtis's other works (Hypernormalisation, Can't Get You Out of My Head). It also does not feature Curtis's languid, oft-parodied voiceover, relying instead on his trademark stark-white subtitles to give some shape to his traditional carnival of scintillatingly edited archive footage. There is less of the nightmarish incongruousness that marks his work, but it's no less chilling and disorienting for it. There is still plenty, however, of Curtis's mind-boggling leaps. In the first episode, introducing us to Thatcher's policy of monetarism – reduce the amount of money circulating, inflation falls, wages stabilise, industry booms – you'll spend a long time scratching your head wondering what links the death of the Irish author JG Farrell, the remains of a Second World War fighter pilot found in a bog in Sheppey, a transgender dog called Bruno, the National Front and the cheese and onion crisp production line at the Golden Wonder factory. Each episode is like a Magic Eye picture – you just have to relax your eyes and stare and stare and stare. It all comes clear eventually. Well, some of it. The rest of the series is a phantasmagoria of 1980s and 1990s home video and documentary and news footage, with Stephen Hawking, the Old Kent Road, hairdressers, the Duke of Westminster and house parties becoming surreal recurring themes. The picture it paints of the UK, then and now, is utterly bleak, with our institutions being shown as at best hollow. The police come out particularly badly – anyone wincing at Donald Trump's recent heavy-handed approach to protestors will be agog at the scenes of police violence here, while one sequence in which detectives in Reading interview a female rape victim is horrifying. Despite this, Curtis finds an impish gallows humour in the decaying remains of 150 years of British exceptionalism. The first image we see, for instance, is Jimmy Savile introducing some schoolchildren to Thatcher, while a segment on the synthetised pop music of the 1980s warns us not to trust the past because it can be edited, remixed and repackaged – before launching into a pastiche of Curtis's documentaries. Those unconvinced by him will find it all simplistic and cynical, but Curtis has never claimed to be a historian. Instead, Shifty is a remarkable, unreliable and potent chronicle of a society in freefall. 'We are living [Thatcher's] version of Churchill's version of British history,' says Patrick Cosgrave, Thatcher's closest adviser. Shifty is Curtis's version.
