PFI expiry gives the assets a new lease of life after being maintained in the condition and for the purpose originally planned 25 years prior. So much has changed in that time. Do school rooms need to be utilised in the same manner now? Have demographics changed? How has technology and remote learning impacted usage? What other uses could space be put to? Similarly for hospitals, how has patient care changed? How is the internet of things changing the way in which we understand and efficiently operate services? What initiatives present themselves as part of the commitment to net zero carbon emissions?
Better use of assets post-expiry present exciting opportunities which will need time to explore and procure. It is important that these questions are dealt with years ahead, so the PFI expiry does not just result in business-as-usual continuation of the services if the assets can be put to better, more efficient use.