Politicians ‘Pushed’ PFI Regardless of Value

Politicians were ‘hell-bent’ on pushing forward private finance initiatives, regardless of value for money, a council officer who supervised one project has stated. The official, who oversaw one of the projects highlighted in the National Audit Office report, said: ‘PFI had happened elsewhere, and the politicians were determined to make it work in housing. ‘It clouded civil servants’ judgements, and made them say “yes” regardless of the costs.’ He added: ‘Fairly late in the day the Treasury woke up and started to ask more serious questions than the CLG had been asking.’ Read more on Inside Housing.