Calls for help with new Forth bridge financing rejected by Westminster

new Forth bridge, queensferry crossing tours, Scotland tours
new Forth bridge, queensferry crossing tours, Scotland tours

A fresh Commons row has broken out over the financing of the
new Forth Bridge
, the Queensferry crossing . Holyrood is proceeding with plans to build the crossing but there have been doubts about how the estimated £2.3bn price tag will be met.
The Scottish Government has made it clear it was prepared to pay from its own budget.
However, a spokesman added that given the scale and unique nature of the project, it had approached the UK Government for the flexibility to spread the payment over a longer period. Treasury Financial Secretary Stephen Timms said the UK Government had offered “flexibility” but funding for the crossing was a devolved matter. This flexibility does not involve any extra money or help with spreading the cost of the project over a long period .
Liberal Democrat Willie Rennie asked ministers “When will the government come forward with real new money to help pay for this bridge?”
Mr Timms said: “Funding is a devolved decision, it is a matter for the Scottish Executive to determine.
“We have offered flexibility to help within the economic framework applying to the UK as a whole and I hope that flexibility will allow this project to proceed.”
English MP Bob Marris then angrily intervened, asking: “Could you assure me the government will hold firm? Scotland already gets shedloads of money under the Barnett Formula.
“They are entitled to raise their own taxes and this government should stand firm against this bridge where they want even more money.”
Mr Timms told him he had made a “forceful point” .
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The position has been made clear in the Scottish Parliament on many occasions – the Scottish Government will deliver a new Forth crossing on time and on budget using our own resources by 2016 at a cost of between £1.7bn to £2.3bn.
“However, given the scale and unique nature of the project, we have approached the UK Government for the flexibility to spread the payment over a longer period.
“The reality is that the Treasury response involves no additional resources.
“The need for Scotland to have full control over its own resources, and the ability to borrow in the same way as other governments, has never been more evident.”

free pictures of Scotland .

Looking for day trips Edinburgh ? How about taking an Outlander tour from Edinburgh to visit Jamie Fraser’s home in Scotland’s amazing Outlander film locations ? For tour information call +44131-549-9785 now *** check availability now for our unique tours of Scotland +44131-549-9785 seven days a week

Private Custom Tours from Edinburgh 2023

*************************************************

Design your own small group tour of Scotland with a custom tour designed yourself.

We are the Last minute bookings specialist – Whatsapp +447305294773 or contact us online.

Late Bookings for our small group tours can be made by phone / Whatsapp on +447305-294773 or online on our tour bookings page

Castles and Braveheart tours – Book Castles and Braveheart tours now !

Outlander and Game of Thrones tours – Book Outlander and Game of Thrones tours now !

Culloden and Lallybroch tours – Book Culloden, Lallybroch and Craig na Dun tours now !

Tours of Scotland – Book Tours of Scotland now!

Check out our popular four castles tour , the Braveheart tour

or the Game of Thrones tours

Read out our five star reviews for our unique range of private tours .

Preview our tours with our new series of virtual tours of Scotland.

*****************************

“David was an excellent guide and we got to see five awesome castles . It was a day of sun and exploration”
Five star Viator review: Five Scottish Castles Tour

“Stunning ”
Five star Viator review: Scottish Whisky and Castles Private Tour
” Such a great day. The castles are breathtaking and Deanston Distillery tour is interesting and tasty 😉 ”

Price guarantee

Save 30% on our tours – we guarantee savings of 30% over any other online travel agents

Refund guarantee

Tours can be cancelled up to 48 hours before the booking date with a full refund .

Need more information ? Please phone / text / Whatsapp us on +447305294773 or contact us online

Custom tours of Scotland can be arranged – pick the locations you want to visit . For more information and bookings please phone / Whatsapp +447305-294773 or contact us online .

Private Custom tours Edinburgh – Book Online .

Buy your souvenir prints of Scotland from Photogold .

Private tours of Lallybroch and Outlander , Glencoe and the Highlands , Eilean Donan Castle , St Andrews , the Kelpies in Falkirk , Game of Thrones and Doune Castle .

Phone +44131-549-9785 daytime

Your guide has unique experience as a photographer of 20 years and tour guide for 5 years . David has extensive knowledge of the top locations in Scotland for a wide range of tours . Please phone / text / Whatsapp him on +447305294773 or contact us online

Edinburgh shore excursions – all of our tours can be booked as shore excursions

Private tours Edinburgh answer all your most important questions about Outlander

Private Tours Search

For last minute bookings phone +44131 549 9785 , Whatsapp +447305294773 orcontact us online.

Explore Scotland with our own unique videos of Scotland including Outlander film locations , tours from Edinburgh to the Highlands , the Kelpies and Eilean Donan Castle . contact us online for tour enquiries

Published
Categorised as Tours
BOOK NOW
× How can I help you?
%d bloggers like this: