Letters

摘要

The Commons' public accounts committee suggests the public sector is not doing a good job of managing operational PFI deals ('Call to reject "unjustified' PFI fees', The MJ, 4 September 2008). PFI plays a vital role in delivering higher-quality, more efficient public services but, in order to achieve real value for money, the public sector needs to improve the way it negotiates contracts and manages complex PFI projects. We must strengthen the commercial, financial and project-management skills in the public sector, as well as the ability to adequately forecast and manage risks. For many authorities, it can still be a real challenge to 'skill up' sufficiently to embark on PFI projects. Contract management is a crucial component of all successful PFI projects, yet all too often, local authorities underestimate the scope and costs of contract management, and it is not considered until very late in the project development and procurement process.