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MPs want more research into PFI

Linda Beecham BMJ

Britain's MPs have suggested that the National Audit Office should compare the costs and service delivery of all private finance initiative (PFI) projects with conventional procurements as part of their value for money investigations.

The Treasury select committee held an inquiry into the PFI and in its report, published last week, it suggests that the research should also establish which types of projects are most suitable for the initiative. It says that it should consider such features as the size of the project, the expected life of the asset, the type of risks involved, and the relation between PFI services and non-PFI services.

From the evidence presented to them, the MPs accept that there has been "a considerable and welcome increase in investment in hospitals." But they want evidence that there has been value for money, and they recommend that the National Audit Office . . . [Full text of this article]

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