5. PFI into the future

PFI has yet to come of age and prove its potential for improving VFM and providing better schools. Consistent with the Government's current moves to free up local decision-making from central control, there is a strong case for changing capital funding incentives to enable options other than PFI to be pursued equally advantageously. This would open up the PFI mechanism itself to competition. Further hard work is needed to ensure that new schools meet the Prime Minister's call for a lasting legacy of fine civic buildings that play their part in improving educational attainment.