PFI: National scandal

The closure of 17 Edinburgh schools built by the same company under a private finance initiative (PFI) due to safety fears could be the “tip of the iceberg” of shoddy PFI work across Scotland, Unite warned as it called for a review into the schemes.

The schools, built by the Miller building firm ten years ago, were closed after workers tending to a collapsed outside wall at a primary school discovered that header ties, used to fix walls to buildings, were missing.

On Monday (April 11) the Edinburgh Schools Partnership (ESP) closed all of the schools to carry out structural surveys, saying it could not assure safety due to concerns over their construction.

More than 7500 primary and secondary pupils have had their education disrupted, with Edinburgh Council saying they hope all pupils will be able to return to class by next Tuesday.

The debacle illustrates how expensive PFI and Public Private Partnerships (PPP) schemes funded by the tax payer can by mismanaged or taken advantage of by contractors looking to save money or cut corners, with potential consequences for health and safety.

“The closure of the schools in Edinburgh is a national scandal but it could be the tip of the iceberg,” said Unite deputy Scottish secretary Mary Alexander. “For years trade unions have highlighted the financial burden caused by PPP/PFI and the potential for cost-cutting measures by contractors as they try to skim-off as much cream as possible from the taxpayer.

“This is also not a situation exclusive to Edinburgh but one with national implications,” she added. “The real question is how many other schools and infrastructure across Scotland built through PPP/ PFI are affected, which means nothing other than a full review is required.”

Alexander also said the revelations demonstrate valid concerns over prospective cuts and outsourcing by Edinburgh City Council to its building services.

“For some period of time our representatives at the City of Edinburgh Council have been raising concerns about the running of Edinburgh Building Services. We believe that in-house staff should be carrying out all routine works in both housing and non-housing council property. Instead, we find that the council is spending millions every year in subcontracting out routine work,” Miller explained.

“Only a few weeks ago Unite urgently brought attention to the council of our major concerns with a subcontractor doing gas maintenance work. So we urge Edinburgh City Council and all local authorities in Scotland to review all maintenance contracts associated with the PPP/PFI school building and to move to stop the sub-contracting now.”