The Live Wire



Press Release

GMB discovers extent of PFI payments at South Ayrshire Council

6 October 2011

South Ayrshire Council spent a total of £367.97 million on PFI projects at five schools in the area. The five schools are Barassie Primary, Monkton Primary, Alloway Primary, Prestwick Academy and Belmont Academy and have all been built under the controversial PFI scheme.

GMB submitted a Freedom of Information request and it was revealed that the total cost will be £367.97 millions, excluding VAT.

This financial year (2011 - 12), it was revealed that South Ayrshire Council will pay one company approximately £10m this year (£9.148 millions, excluding VAT).

Paul Arkison, GMB Organiser said, “GMB members have always had a deep suspicion of these PFI contracts and these figures vindicate their fears. The high level of these repayment costs must cause concern for those in high office at South Ayrshire Council”.

What is also concerning is that it would seem the Council have left themselves little room to re-negotiate this contact to reflect the current economic circumstances.

What needs to happen here is that all the political parties need to galvanise support and formally call this contract in for proper scrutiny to ensure that no private companies are making massive profits for a Local Authority contact.

The workers who operate on this contract are all GMB members and are to be commended as they are providing an excellent level of service, the majority are paid less than the Living Wage of £7.20 which the GMB is also campaigning for.”



Press releases, papers and documents published on this page are the intellectual property of an organisation unrelated to Central Lobby. We promote their parliamentary and political campaigning activities as they are subscribers to the Central Lobby service.

As such, Central Lobby does not edit, endorse, or attempt to balance the opinions expressed on this page. The content of press releases and other such types of content are the responsibility of the originating organisation.

GMB

GMB

More from Dods

© Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd