Morning, Tuesday, 14th July 2026
Online
This conference will examine priorities for managing the transition away from PFI contracts.
It will bring stakeholders and policymakers together to assess the emerging role of the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority in oversight and support for PFI handback, in areas such as coordination across contracting authorities, consistency in how asset condition and compliance are assessed, and guidance and expertise to assist in the management of expiry and related processes.
Discussion will also consider implementation of the PFI Asset Condition Playbook and implications of the Procurement Act 2023 for contract management and expiry, alongside 2025 Autumn Budget ambitions for a new public-private partnership model and use of private finance to support delivery of a strengthened long-term infrastructure pipeline.
Handback readiness, risks and implementation best practice
Following the Public Accounts Committee’s report Government’s use of private finance for infrastructure, the conference will explore the emerging landscape for handback, including system-wide readiness for the expected volume of expiries, key risks relating to asset quality and compliance, and priorities for strengthening assurance and accountability mechanisms. Delegates will consider how effective practice can be developed across both public and private sector partners, and options for improving collaboration, transparency and dispute resolution as contracts approach expiry.
Options for a new Public-Private Partnership model
Further discussion will look at implications of the Government’s commitment within the 2025 Budget to develop a new PPP model. Attendees will consider opportunities to apply lessons learned from legacy PFI design, including approaches to risk allocation, contract flexibility and performance management, alongside priorities for integrating decarbonisation requirements, digital and data capabilities, and evolving service delivery models.
The agenda will also examine priorities for strengthening procurement and contract management capability across the public sector, including workforce development, commercial skills and institutional capacity needed to support both effective handback and future PPP delivery.
Overview of areas for discussion
- PFI contract expiry and handback:
- preparing for large-scale contract expiry - system readiness, coordination and timelines across contracting authorities
- implementation of the PFI Asset Condition Playbook - consistency in surveys, data quality and dispute avoidance
- addressing risks highlighted in the Public Accounts Committee’s Government’s use of private finance for infrastructure report - asset quality, compliance and enforcement
- policy framework and oversight:
- implications of the Procurement Act 2023 for contract management, transparency and expiry arrangements
- role of the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority - oversight, guidance and cross-government coordination
- alignment with 2025 Budget - leveraging private finance and strengthening infrastructure pipelines
- capability and contract management:
- strengthening public sector contract management - performance monitoring, enforcement and governance
- building commercial and technical capability - skills, training and institutional capacity
- learning from legacy PFI - improving accountability and long-term contract oversight
- asset condition, risk and delivery:
- assuring asset quality at handback - standards, verification and compliance mechanisms
- managing lifecycle maintenance and dispute resolution - funding, incentives and independent assessment
- maintaining service continuity and effective collaboration between public and private sector partners
- future PPP models and reform:
- development of a new PPP model as set out in the 2025 Budget - structure, objectives and market engagement
- applying lessons learned from PFI - risk allocation, flexibility and performance incentives
- embedding modern priorities - decarbonisation, digital capability and long-term infrastructure resilience
