4. In 2020, the Treasury awarded the IPA an additional £2 million budget to develop a programme to help manage the expiry of PFI contracts.8 The IPA subsequently launched its PFI contract management programme.9 The IPA told us that this programme consisted of four pillars, with the first relating to contract expiry. As part of this, the IPA explained that it had developed a health check tool to evaluate the expiry risk for all PFI contracts ending the next seven years-the amount of time the IPA estimated is needed to adequately prepare for expiry. It also told us that it had undertaken 23 health checks so far using this tool and aimed to complete 55 by 31 March 2021. The IPA expected that the programme will continue beyond these 55 contracts, and it would automatically review any contract that will expire within seven years.10
5. The second pillar of the IPA's contract management programme involves improving general contract management. The IPA committed to conducting several detailed contract reviews to "formulate solutions and ideas" around what training and capabilities authorities require to better manage their PFI contacts. It explained that pillar three was about building this capability and it was working across government to develop training programmes. Lastly, the IPA described pillar four as providing expert support and advice to where there are disputes, problems or major events such as the need to amend existing contracts.11
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9 The IPA's PFI contract management programme consists of four pillars: 1) contract expiry; 2) contract management; 3) building capability; 4) expert support and advice.
10 Qq 13, 27, 92; C&AG's Report, para 1.15
11 Q 13