The IPA recognised that more support was needed to address the “huge demand” for expertise, skills and capability in contract management—all of which were currently insufficient. It explained that contracts owned by local bodies, which made up more than 80% of all PFI contracts, were “the most concerning area” as local bodies’ investment in contract management expertise had “not always kept pace with the extent required”.25 Local Partnerships added that the best prepared authorities were thos...

The IPA recognised that more support was needed to address the “huge demand” for expertise, skills and capability in contract management—all of which were currently insufficient. It explained that contracts owned by local bodies, which made up more than 80% of all PFI contracts, were “the most concerning area” as local bodies’ investment in contract management expertise had “not always kept pace with the extent required”.25 Local Partnerships added that the best prepared authorities were those with multiple PFI contracts, as they were more likely to have maintained a PFI team during the life of the project.26 The NAO found that 182 authoritie Type: conclusion | Number: 10 | Response status: under_consideration Government response: 3.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Summer 2021 3.2 The Treasury and the IPA will write to the Committee setting out a potential plan to fill current skill shortages, particularly for those authorities