Private Finance Initiative (PFI)

BRANCH EDUCATION

Discussion Leader 2 - UNISON's Twin Track Approach to PFI

This set of notes covers:
  • UNISON's approach to PFI
  • UNISON's twin track strategy
  • Campaigning
  • Negotiating

These notes are designed to help you to make a presentation or lead a discussion on the Private Finance Initiative. To go with the notes there is a choice of either a powerpoint presentation or a set of independent overhead projector slides.

Link to a document on this site Download discussion leader's notes (PDF format)

Link to a document on this site Download Powerpoint presentation (Powerpoint format)

Link to a document on this site Download OHP slides (Word format)

About the notes

The notes are not service group specific and you may find it useful to include some specific service group or local examples of PFI projects. As the notes are intended to give an overview of PFI to all service groups they refer to 'the public authority' instead of 'the NHS Trust' or 'the Council'. You may want to substitute your own words to make it more relevant to your audience.

The notes cover a wide range of PFI issues. You may not want to cover them all. Choose the information that is relevant for your audience. The text in boxes is background information that you may find useful.

Presenters instructions for powerpoint appear in RED
Presenters instructions for using OHP slides appear in BLUE
CONTACT DETAILS
• The UNISON contact for PFI courses is Frank Knox.
Learning and Organising Services
1 Mabledon Place
London WC1H 9AJ
Email: f.knox@unison.co.uk
PFI documents
Challenging the Private Finance Initiative - a branch guide
14 February 2002 An in-depth coursebook for branches involved in PFI. The guide outlines UNISON's policy and strategy on the private finance initiative. It is intended to be used by all branches whose members could be the subject of a PFI scheme.
Download Challenging the Private Finance Initiative
A web of private interest
24 June 2002 Report on how the Big Five acccountancy firms influence and profit from privatisation policy
Download A web of private interest
Privatising Halls of Residence - A Positively Public briefing
16 April 2002 Many universities are privatising their halls of residence, to avoid borrowing capital to improve or build halls themselves. But students and staff pick up the bill - jobs have gone and rents have risen sharply. Students may have to pay more each week and for more weeks in a year.
Download Privatising Halls of Residence
Refinancing: profiteering from public services
14 March 2002 Cutting the cost of financing a PFI contract can achieve a big increase in profitability for the contractor
Full document..
Understanding the Private Finance Initiative - the essential school governor's guide to PFI
7 January 2002 An authoritative guide to understanding the Private Finance Initiative aimed at school governors who are faced with making decisions on whether or not to pursue PFI schemes locally. A 40 page A4 booklet featuring step by step advice and action points.
Download Understanding the Private Finance Initiative
Contracting Culture - from CCT to PPPs
22 October 2001 An academic report for UNISON which analyses key developments in privatisation of public services and provides an extensive literature review. This is a reference item and is not suitable for widespread distribution
Download 12080.pdf
Positively Public Charter
2 March 2001 An A5 8pp production highllighting specific campaign demands following the principles set out in the positively public manifesto. Meant to be used as campaign tool to encourage local and regional employers to support UNISON's broader positively public campaign. The leaflet also comes with a prepaid reply postcard for quick response
Download Positively Public Charter
Public Services/Private Finance booklet
28 February 2001 This A4 36 page report on the government's Private Finance Initiative (PFI) draws on the procurement documents for a number of PFI schemes currently in progress in the local authority sector and on government policy state-ments and guidance. Download Public Services/Private Finance