Project Cost Escalation from Delays
Delays in infrastructure projects driven by short-term cost-saving decisions, resulting in significantly increased overall construction costs.
10 items
1 source
3 inquiries
Source spread
Where this theme appears
Project Cost Escalation from Delays has been flagged across 1 independent accountability source:
10 inquiry recs
This theme has been identified in one data source. As more data is added, cross-references may emerge.
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Source-grouped records are useful for tracing where a concern came from. Large sections show the 50 strongest matches for that source; counts still show the full theme total.
Inquiry Recommendations (10)
SHI-3 — Clarity in brief for healthcare facility construction
Recommendation: It is critical that a health board formulates and then presents its requirements for the key building systems in a proposed healthcare facility (its "brief") in terms which are full, clear, and unambiguous, and that that brief is finalised before …
Words of: Neil Gray, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, in a letter to Clare Haughey MSP, Convener of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, 17 September 2025
Gov response: On 13 March 2025, I made a statement in parliament, addressing the Interim Report and its recommendations. I accepted all recommendations and committed to provide a future update on progress around the implementation of those …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
SHI-2 — Risk assessment on funding model changes
Recommendation: Accordingly, in situations where the funding model or procurement route changes mid project, a risk assessment should be conducted to assess whether work done on the project up to that point is suitable for the revised project. The rationale for …
Words of: Neil Gray, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, in a letter to Clare Haughey MSP, Convener of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, 17 September 2025
Gov response: On 13 March 2025, I made a statement in parliament, addressing the Interim Report and its recommendations. I accepted all recommendations and committed to provide a future update on progress around the implementation of those …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
R5 — Hospital future uncertainty resolution
Recommendation: Scottish Government should ensure that where any uncertainty over the future of any hospital or service exists, resolution of the uncertainty is not delayed any longer than is essential for planning and consultation to take place.
Words of: Scottish Government, The Scottish Government's Response to the Vale of Leven Hospital Inquiry Report, section 1.3, 18 June 2015
Gov response: The Scottish Government accepts its responsibility for the failings identified in the report and we apologise unreservedly for the suffering and loss caused. We accept in full all of the report's recommendations.
Accepted
ETI-16 — Design Engagement Process
Recommendation: Immediately following the appointment of the designer, and throughout the design of the project, the designer should engage with the promoter and owner of the project, the procurement and project manager, the local planning authority, the utility companies and interested …
Words of: Andrew Kerr, Chief Executive, City of Edinburgh Council, report "Response to the Edinburgh Tram Inquiry" to the Council, 14 December 2023 (item 7.1)
Gov response: The Inquiry Report identifies a difference in the approach taken by the Council to design before and after the Mar Hall mediation. Prior to the mediation there was not a single point of contact at …
Accepted
ETI-15 — Qualified Project Management
Recommendation: In recognition of the various difficulties likely to be experienced in the design and construction of a light rail project through a city centre, the promoter and owner of the project should appoint as its procurement and project manager a …
Words of: Andrew Kerr, Chief Executive, City of Edinburgh Council, report "Response to the Edinburgh Tram Inquiry" to the Council, 14 December 2023 (item 7.1)
Gov response: The Inquiry Report highlights a number of instances where there was insufficient experience in delivery to give assurance that the project would be properly managed. The procurement and project management of a project is key …
Accepted
ETI-14 — Utility Diversion Risk Management
Recommendation: Although some participants in the Inquiry criticised the use of MUDFA to divert utilities in advance of the infrastructure works and advocated the “bow wave” approach to the diversion of utilities that followed the mediation settlement at Mar Hall, I …
Words of: Màiri McAllan, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition, statement to the Scottish Parliament, 2 November 2023 (text as published by the Scottish Government)
Gov response: The remaining thirteen recommendations cover a range of areas relating to the governance and delivery of light rail projects. While these recommendations are directed squarely at project leads and Local Authority officials, there is a …
Noted
ETI-13 — Utility Diversion Planning
Recommendation: The procurement strategy for any future light rail project should make adequate provision for the uncertainties concerning the location of utilities and redundant equipment belonging to present and past utility companies, particularly in urban centres. In particular, although it is …
Words of: Màiri McAllan, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition, statement to the Scottish Parliament, 2 November 2023 (text as published by the Scottish Government)
Gov response: The remaining thirteen recommendations cover a range of areas relating to the governance and delivery of light rail projects. While these recommendations are directed squarely at project leads and Local Authority officials, there is a …
Noted
ETI-11 — Public Fund Protection
Recommendation: The Scottish Ministers and local authorities responsible for funding light rail projects should be mindful at all times of their obligation to protect public funds and to obtain value for public expenditure. In that regard: • the Scottish Ministers should …
Words of: Màiri McAllan, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition, statement to the Scottish Parliament, 2 November 2023 (text as published by the Scottish Government)
Gov response: Presiding Officer, let me now turn to recommendations that involve collaboration with and working alongside COSLA and our Local Authority partners. Effective collaboration sits at the heart of this Government and the recently agreed Verity …
Noted
ETI-10 — Joint Working Group with COSLA
Recommendation: In the interests of protecting the public purse and maximising the benefits from public expenditure on major projects, the Scottish Ministers should contemplate establishing a joint working group consisting of officials in Transport Scotland and representatives of the Convention of …
Words of: Màiri McAllan, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition, answers to questions on her statement, Scottish Parliament, 2 November 2023 (Official Report)
Gov response: We will consider that recommendation on a case-by-case basis. The recommendation itself applies only to light rail, so that minimises the cases that it could apply to, but we will absolutely consider it. However, I …
Response Unclear
ETI-1 — Public Inquiry Efficiency
Recommendation: Scottish Ministers should undertake a review of public inquiries to determine the most cost-effective method of avoiding delay in the establishment of an inquiry, including consideration of establishing a dedicated unit within the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service and publishing …
Words of: Màiri McAllan, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition, statement to the Scottish Parliament, 2 November 2023 (text as published by the Scottish Government)
Gov response: We are working through all of these recommendations, but I can report that additional guidance similar to that suggested is already in development with reference to the efficient establishment and delivery of public inquiries and …
Response Unclear