The Scottish Government has been accused of presiding over nearly seven decades of cumulative delays to major NHS, transport and justice projects, with cost overruns estimated at £1.3 billion, according to figures compiled by Scottish Labour.
Opposition figures claim successive SNP-led administrations have repeatedly failed to deliver key public infrastructure on time, leaving Scotland facing chronic delays across transport, health, justice and education projects. Labour says the combined length of delays now totals 67 years, highlighting what it describes as systemic mismanagement of public investment.
Transport projects account for the largest share of delays, totalling almost 29 years, while health-related projects have overrun by more than 22 years. Justice initiatives have accumulated delays of more than 11 years, with education projects running a combined five years late.
Ferries and prisons among worst-hit projects
The most severe single delay relates to the construction of two 100-metre ferries for Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd, which were delivered 2,998 days late. The project has become emblematic of wider criticism of SNP infrastructure planning, particularly for island communities that rely on ferry services for economic and social connectivity.
Delays of 1,919 days were recorded for the construction of a new prison in the Highlands, while the long-promised replacement for Barlinnie prison in Glasgow has also faced repeated setbacks, adding further pressure to Scotland’s overcrowded prison system.
Impact on public services
Labour argues the delays have had a direct and damaging impact on frontline services, particularly the NHS, where infrastructure backlogs come amid rising demand, workforce pressures and long waiting times. Transport delays have also been linked to unsafe roads and prolonged disruption for motorists, while ferry delays continue to affect island economies.
Speaking on the findings, a Labour spokesperson said Scotland’s infrastructure was “crying out for investment” but accused the SNP of wasting more than £1 billion through poor planning and procurement failures. They said patients, drivers, prisoners and island residents were all paying the price for repeated delays.
Labour pledge reform and accountability
Labour said a future Scottish Labour government would overhaul procurement processes, tighten oversight and ensure public money was spent more effectively. The party pledged to end what it called decades of waste and mismanagement and to prioritise delivery of essential infrastructure.
The criticism comes as infrastructure delivery has become a growing political issue in Scotland, with rising construction costs, inflation and skills shortages placing additional pressure on public sector projects.
Scottish Government response
The Scottish Government rejected claims of widespread failure, saying it remained committed to delivering major infrastructure projects and pointing to completed schemes including the Levenmouth Rail project, the Net Zero Parkhead Health Hub and a new offenders’ facility in Stirling.
A government spokesperson said a new infrastructure strategy and forward pipeline would be published alongside the Scottish Budget on 13 January, outlining future priorities and investment plans.
