(c) Picture: Ian Georgeson
Glasgow had record numbers up 5% to 928 000. Edinburgh also had a record number up 1.5% to 465 813 in domestic and up 12.4% to 1 226 109 in international.
Edinburgh’s numbers were boosted by 6 new Ryanair routes while Glasgow was boosted by Celtic’s games with Bayern Munich.
This is part of an ongoing trend suggesting strong general economic health made apparent in air travel increases. See:
Scotland’s economic growth evident in increased passenger numbers at Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports
Talking-up Scotland 
Hi John and Co. Noticed a report on a public body I’d been previously unaware of called SCAPE. They seem to be a facilitator organisation tasked with extracting wider social benefits from major infrastructure projects (encouraging local employment, suppliers, participation by SMEs etc). They describe themselves:
We are Scape
Scape Group is a public-sector organisation, dedicated to creating ongoing efficiency and social value via the built environment.
Our services have been designed to support the entire lifecycle of your built environment, stimulate local economic growth and to deliver superior outcomes on every project.
Operating since 2006, we are incredibly proud of the efficiencies and social value we have facilitated for the public sector.
Well – SCAPE have announced changes for the next ‘framework’ period – including a dedicated framework for Scotland: (see below):
Scape Group has published details of its National Civil Engineering and Infrastructure framework, which is due to be re-procured in 2018.
This second generation framework, which will deliver major civil engineering and infrastructure projects across the United Kingdom, will see an increased total value to £2bn, including the creation of a dedicated £400m lot specifically for the public sector in Scotland.
The Scape National Civil Engineering and Infrastructure framework will run for a period of four years from October 2018 and will include lots for:
• England, Wales and Northern Ireland – total lot value of £1.6bn
• Scotland – total lot value of £400m
Bidders are invited to tender either for individual lots or both lots, and the framework will also be open to consortium bids.
“Our decision to create a separate lot for projects in Scotland reflects the clear commitment of the Scottish Government to further their investment in infrastructure in a way that supports the local economy. We know through our engagement with Scotland’s public bodies that there is real passion and drive to achieve social value with the benefits of investment passing deep into local supply chain businesses. Our mission is to maximise both efficiency and social value delivery for the Scottish public sector and the local communities they serve.”
To me that sounds quite important. A UK wide specialist body tasked with maximising social benefits from major infrastructure works recognising that Scotland is different and that the Scottish Govt is already trying to bring about similar results.
Recognising this SCAPE are organising their framework to take account of Scotland’s distinct infrastructure planning/construction processes and are organising a distinct Scottish projects bidding advice/facilitation process. It strikes me that the larger the element of the (UK) state apparatus that (pre-Indy) recognises reality and organises itself on a distinct Scotland – rUK basis – the smoother the transition to Indy (post referendum) will be. (I suspect someone at SCAPE will get a thoroughly nasty phonecall from Fluffy when he finds out what has happened).
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Thank you for that information, Ludo. I had never heard of Scape before and what you have written sounds excellent, even setting aside the proportionately high allocation to Scotland.
Often, local authorities have tried to ‘tack on’ socially beneficial conditions to consents for projects: for example, a new private housing development including some walking and cycling infrastructure or a retail development having public space. It is sometimes difficult for local authorities to enforce these conditions once the project has been completed, because the developer usually pushes it to the end of the contract and often walks away. Private companies can usually depend on either the support of the media or of the media simply not reporting it.
Since all private developments depend to a huge extent of publicly provided infrastructure as well as a publicly funded education system, a police force, a fire and rescue service, etc. there is a moral duty on the private developers to put something back and something significant and lasting rather than something cheap and token. If Scape can facilitate a more rigorous and assured social benefit which is consistent with the overall plans of local authorities for their community, then this is to be welcomed.
Like training for staff, good rest and recreation facilities, good HR, etc. this is one these things which repays the companies many times with greater staff satisfaction, greater prestige in the community, etc, but which seldom appears on balance sheets.
If this can end the dichotomy of private splendour and public squalor then I am for it. This should not be perceived as a benign capitalist bestowing gifts upon the lesser mortals but part of the partnership between the public and the private, part of the payback for what the public purse provides.
Maybe, if they contributed to the creation of good communities more of those directors and executives would live in those communities and send their children to the local schools, get treated in the same health centres, go to the same cafes, pubs and restaurants.
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Thanks, both, for all this interesting informationj
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