Details revealed of major Scottish capital projects
Tuesday 6 December 2011 7:45 AM
Details of multi-billion pound plans to improve Scotland's road network and build new hospitals, schools and prisons will be announced later.
A total of 80 projects will be set out by the Scottish government.
Ministers said they would deliver economic growth and support jobs over the next two decades, despite Westminster cuts.
UK ministers said the Chancellor's Autumn Statement contained an extra £400m for Scottish capital projects.
Among the government's priorities are plans to turn two main roads to Inverness - the A96 from Aberdeen and the A9 from Perth - into dual carriageways.
Infrastructure Secretary Alex Neil is to outline a series of 50 specific projects and 30 infrastructure programmes across Scotland.
Thousands of homes are to be made more energy efficient to tackle fuel poverty and new hospitals, schools, and prisons will be also built.
Holyrood ministers have said money they get from Westminster, which funds the Scottish budget, is shrinking by £3.3bn - or 11% below the 2010-11 level - over three years.
The capital budget, which pays for infrastructure projects such as roads and schools, is dropping by 36%.
UK ministers have insisted they must stick to their deficit reduction plan.
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