The cost of Scottish Government projects has soared to more than £7.7 billion, according to figures revealed by the Sunday Mail. Costs for two prisons, two ferries, and a hospital have risen from £949 million to more than £3.8 billion – an increase of £2.86 billion.
Including the A9 dualling project, the total exceeds £7.7 billion. The road upgrade alone is expected to cost more than £3.97 billion at April 2025 prices, compared with £3 billion at 2008 prices.
Opposition criticism
Scottish Labour finance spokesman Joe Fagan said: “The Scottish Government has shown a carelessness over the spiralling costs for large projects in Scotland for years.”
He added: “As households across the country struggle with the cost of living, it must take greater care of the public finances and ensure that every penny is spent responsibly.”
Scottish Tory finance spokesman Craig Hoy said: “These eye-watering figures are a damning indictment of the SNP’s economic incompetence.”
Prison and ferry costs
Scotland’s jail-building costs are among the biggest blowouts. The Sunday Mail reported in August that two new jails could cost taxpayers over £1 million per prisoner. The replacement HMP Barlinnie in Glasgow was last year estimated to cost £1 billion – almost 10 times its original £100 million price tag in 2014.
The 200-cell HMP Highland in Inverness, due to open in spring 2027, is expected to cost £209 million, up from £52 million a decade ago.
The projected £500 million cost of Scotland’s dual-fuel ferries – the MV Glen Sannox and MV Glen Rosa – is approaching almost five times the original £97 million contract.
Government response
A Scottish Government spokesperson told the Mail: “Sustained high inflation over recent years has put considerable pressure on capital budgets and is affecting projects across the UK.”
They added: “Rigorous procurement processes are in place around all capital projects but cost overruns, due to factors often outwith the Scottish Government’s control, are sometimes unavoidable.”
