Central Private Finance Unit
Zone 1/A5
Eland House
Bressenden Place
London SW1E 5DU / Tel 020 7944 4229
Fax 020 7944 4239
20 August 2008
Mr Julian Todd
Dear Mr Todd
Freedom of Information request – PFI credits allocation
I am writing in response to your request for information of 24 July about local authority PFI credit allocations. Your request has been considered under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.I can confirm that Communities and Local Government does hold the information that you have requested and that I am able to provide you with the information. In the past individual sponsoring departments have often produced news releases when new allocations were made and, as you say, individual local authorities have also frequently publicised the figures. There is therefore no reason not to bring this information together in a collated form.
I have therefore arranged for the list of PFI contracts on this department's website (at to be revised so that in future it includes PFI credit amounts. In addition, projects which have been invited to develop an outline business case have been added to provide a complete picture. In the meantime I am attaching the record as it stands the moment. As I'm sure you will realise this is a constantly moving picture, so the version which appears on the website may be slightly different from the one attached, and necessarily will always present a slightly delayed snap-shot.A new version is usually posted each month, depending on whether any new projects have been endorsed.
In using the information provided I would direct your attention to the sections of the revised list which describe the likelihood of changes being made to the allocations, particularly when the PFI credits are provisional before a project is formally endorsed; and the definition of PFI credits.
You also asked about conditions imposed on the local authorities in order to be eligible for grant support. These are set out in the Local Government PFI Project Support Guide ( and are most easily accessible by looking at the template letters (Section B of the Guide).
Communities and Local Government as an organisation aims to be as helpful as possible in the way it deals with requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. If, however, you are not satisfied with the way in which your request has been handled or the outcome, you may request an internal review within two calendar months of the date of this letter. Information about the Department's review procedures and how to apply for an internal review of your case is contained on the Department's website at This also explains your right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision in the event that you remain dissatisfied following the authority's review.
If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.
Yours sincerely,
Simon Oliver