20. PFI contracts require appropriate mechanisms, such as benchmarking, market testing and open book accounting, to ensure that value for money is maintained over the lifetime of the project. Our report on Managing the Relationship in PFI Projects (42nd Report, Session 2001-02) found, however, that only around half of the contracts surveyed had such mechanisms in place. Over one in five authorities considered that there had been a decline in value for money in PFI projects after contract letting, with high prices for additional services a key area of concern.