WIREDGOV

The CBI yesterday commented on the Government's announcement that it will review the private finance initiative (PFI).

Dr Neil Bentley, CBI Deputy Director-General, said:

"The Government is right to review PFI, and given the constraints on public spending, private finance will have a crucial role to play in delivering much-needed infrastructure.

"We need to find new ways of developing private finance models to ensure they offer value for money for taxpayers.

"Among the measures we are proposing to boost infrastructure investment are encouraging direct investment from pension funds and accelerating Tax Increment Financing schemes. The Government must also publish a clear, long-term pipeline of projects to boost investor confidence."

Earlier this year the CBI put forward a package of measures to boost infrastructure investment through effective public-private partnerships. Further details can be found in the report Building Strong Foundations: Financing UK Infrastructure.

Notes to Editors:

The CBI is the UK's leading business organisation, speaking for some 240,000 businesses that together employ around a third of the private sector workforce. With offices across the UK as well as representation in Brussels, Washington, Beijing and Delhi the CBI communicates the British business voice around the world.

The CBI Annual Conference 2011 takes place on Monday 21 November at London's Grosvenor House on Park Lane, featuring an exceptional line up of business and political speakers. More details can be found at: http://www.cbiannualconference.org.uk/