To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what plans he has to approve further public-private partnership projects to fund the building and refurbishing of schools in England. (190045)

DCSF has been allocated £1.320 billion PFI credits in each financial year of the comprehensive spending period 2008 to 2011. Public Private Partnership projects, including PFI continue to form a significant part of the Department’s capital programme.

PFI is used in capital procurement where it demonstratively provides the public sector with better value for money in procuring modern, high quality services from the private sector. Typically, PFI offers better value for money than conventional design and build procurement methods for schools which are almost wholly new build.