Following reports that The SNP’s Scottish Futures Trust has recommended that Scottish Water be part privatised, Scottish Labour called on the SNP Government to clarify its position on the future of the organisation.

According to reports, the Trust advises a £3.5 billion semi-privatisation of the company.

Local Labour MSP Jackie Baillie said, "If there are any plans to change the financial structure of Scottish Water then SNP ministers must come out and say so.

"So far Ministers are saying one thing, yet government linked bodies are telling us the opposite.

"Earlier this year there were secret talks between SFT and an Australian bank and John Swinney has admitted to holding discussions about the future of Scottish Water.

"The staff deserve to know what is going on. Parliament and MSPs need to know what is going on.

"It's time the SNP came clean on the future of Scottish Water and it will be interesting to see what the members of the Independent Budget Review suggest when they report later this month."