We share a vision of a world in which public services requiring capital assets can be provided efficiently and effectively for the lowest cost compatible with the quality of service demanded. If these services are to be provided from the private sector, in partnership with local authorities or government agencies, our government - and other governments in turn - must be satisfied that this represents better value for money than the historic alternative of direct state delivery. Proving this is no small task.
As most of the recent industry surveys and individual contract evaluations have concluded there is a clear need for realistic benchmarking of the costs and quality of services being provided. This survey plays its part in the assessment of the success of PFI. It continues to focus on the delivery of contracted services - rather than the construction phase.
As this year's survey begins to establish itself as an important set of reference data for the industry, we have chosen to add a section to provide a summary of all UK PFI contracts in place at the end of 2006. Having established that base, we will in future include comment on those added year by year and on evident trends in the sector.
While not apparent from the survey, it is evident that the current style of rigorous competitive tendering for contracts under narrowly-defined PFI may not suit all types of service or all facilities. In many cases it is clear that both the suppliers of services and their public sector partners need more flexibility at least in the operational phase. Future surveys will address this area more specifically.
We hope this survey will help to inform the debate - all too easily hijacked by politically motivated and emotive soundbites - about how to deliver the best value for money public services.