The government has been committed to the use of the PFI to deliver its grand ambitions for health and education, but as this recent survey by the RICS shows, many surveyors believe the procurement route is actually more expensive and long-winded than the traditional method

project delivery times

1. have PFI project delivery times become quicker since 1997?

  • 49% of surveyors said no, PFI has become slower
  • 26% said yes, PFI has become quicker
  • 26% indicated the process has remained the same

The results show that a net balance of 23% of surveyors reported PFI project times had become slower since 1997

2. have traditional procurement times become quicker since 1997?

  • 43% of surveyors indicated project times have remained the same
  • 36% said yes, project times have become quicker
  • 21% said no, project times have become slower

The results show a net balance of 15% of surveyors reported traditional procurement project times had become quicker since 1997

costs after inflation

1. Have PFI costs become cheaper since 1997?

  • 59% of surveyors said no, the PFI has become more expensive
  • 24% said yes, the PFI has become less expensive
  • 16% indicated costs have remained the same

The results show that a net balance of 35% of surveyors reported that PFI project costs, after inflation, had increased since 1997

2. Have the traditional procurement costs become cheaper since 1997?

  • 46% indicated costs have remained the same
  • 31% said yes, indicated that traditional procurement has become less expensive
  • 22% of surveyors said no, indicated that traditional procurement has become more expensive

The results show that a net balance of 9% of suveyors reported that traditional procurement costs, after inflation, had fallen since 1997

Schools & hospitals: Election Battleground no2