Infrastructure investment plan 2021-22 to 2025-26: major capital projects progress update – February 2025
The following information relates to projects with a capital value of £5 million or more which are at the outline business case (or equivalent) approved stage or beyond.
Sector: Justice
Project: HMP Highland
Business case approved stages: HMP Highland will provide a fit-for-purpose community facing prison, which supports the Government's objective of reducing the risk of prisoners reoffending on release from custody. The OBC outlined that the total cost of the project was in the range of £98 million to £110 million and that it would be operational by July 2024. The FBC outlines that the total cost of the project will be £209.3 million and that completion of the construction phase will be summer 2026 with an operational date to be agreed following construction completion.
Progress at August 2024: The FBC was approved in March 2024 and the second stage contract was awarded in April 2024 with construction commencing thereafter. The total cost of the project is now £209.3 million which is an increase to that previously reported (£139.5 million). This is due to increases in costs for various work packages and additional contractor prelim costs.
Completion of the construction phase is now forecast to be summer 2026 with an operational date to be agreed following construction completion. This is later than that previously reported (spring 2026 with an operational date later that year) and is due to delays in receiving the final contract price.
Progress at February 2025: No change to cost or timing since last report.
Contact for public enquiries: email: gaolinfo@sps.pnn.gov.uk
Project: HMP Glasgow
Business case approved stages: HMP Glasgow will provide a fit-for-purpose community facing prison, which supports the Government's objective of reducing the risk of prisoners reoffending on release from custody. The OBC outlined that the total cost of the project was £746 million and that it would be completed by end of 2027. The FBC outlines that the total cost of the project will be £998 million with a completion date by the end of 2028. An operational date for the facility is to be agreed following construction completion.
Progress at August 2024: N/A
Progress at February 2025: The FBC was approved in January 2025 and the second stage construction contract was awarded in February 2025 with construction commencing thereafter. The total cost of the project is £998 million and completion is due by the end of 2028. An operational date for the facility is to be agreed following construction completion.
The increase in costs and timings from OBC to FBC is due to the move from estimated costs to actual costs, with significant increases over expectations due to inflationary pressures within the construction industry, impacting on the costs of raw materials, and labour and production globally. In addition, the current volume of public sector prison new build works has had an impact on the capacity of the supply chain required to engage on this type of project.
Contact for public enquiries: email: gaolinfo@sps.pnn.gov.uk