EDINBURGH – In a move designed to anchor Scotland’s economic and social future, the Scottish Government has launched an ambitious £30 billion Infrastructure Strategy. Unveiled alongside the 2026-27 draft Budget, the plan outlines a multi-year investment cycle running to March 2030, aiming to transform the nation’s housing, transport, and healthcare sectors.
At the heart of the announcement is a promise to move beyond “stop-start” cycles of the past. Finance Secretary Shona Robison framed the investment not just as a construction project, but as a vital pillar for public service reform and climate resilience.
“Infrastructure is essential to Scotland’s health, economy, and environment,” Robison stated. “To remain responsive to our evolving needs, we must make smart, strategic choices: renewing our asset base and leveraging private investment where appropriate.”
The “Delivery Pipeline”: Where the Billions are Going
While the headline figure reaches £30 billion, the government has already earmarked £11.1 billion for a specific “Delivery Pipeline” of immediate projects. These represent the vanguard of a strategy focused on three key pillars: economic growth, child poverty, and the path to Net Zero.
- Housing at the Forefront: A massive £4.1 billion public investment is dedicated to delivering 36,000 affordable homes, with a strict mandate that at least 70% be allocated for social rent.
- Transport & Connectivity: Over £1.2 billion will be injected into renewing Scotland’s rail fleet and aging ferry vessels. Crucially, the plan recommits to the dualling of the A9 between Perth and Inverness, a project long seen as vital for Highland connectivity.
- Healthcare Modernisation: The strategy moves toward a “whole-system” NHS infrastructure plan, prioritising the resilience and modernisation of the existing estate over isolated new builds.
- Climate & Natural Capital: Nearly £300 million is targeted at peatland restoration and woodland creation, acknowledging that “natural infrastructure” is as critical as concrete and steel in the fight against climate change.
A Strategy of “Smart Choices”
The 2026 plan introduces a shift in philosophy: the Investment Hierarchy. Rather than focusing solely on new construction, the government is prioritising the maintenance and repurposing of existing assets. This “maintenance-first” approach is backed by over £7 billion dedicated to capital maintenance over the spending review period.
However, the path forward is not without its critics. Industry bodies, including Homes for Scotland and the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, have voiced concerns that while the long-term commitment is welcome, much of the funding appears “back-loaded” toward the end of the decade. With inflation and labour shortages still squeezing the construction sector, the pressure is on to prove that these billions can be converted into bricks and mortar quickly enough to meet the 2032 housing targets.
The Long View
The launch of this strategy is accompanied by Scotland’s first-ever 30-year Infrastructure Needs Assessment. By looking three decades ahead, the Scottish Futures Trust aims to insulate the nation’s planning from short-term political shifts, ensuring that today’s £30 billion serves as the foundation for a more connected, resilient, and equitable Scotland.
Quartermile Offices, Edinburgh on Wikimedia, Picture by RS Qmile
