ROSS LAIRD COMMENTS ON PFI COSTS

2.12.02

Commenting on the allocation of £2 million by the Department for Education to meet unseen costs (such as furniture removal) of the PFI deal for Haringey secondary schools and the rumour that the Labour run council is contemplating a PFI deal for primary schools, Lib Dem Leader Cllr Ross Laird said:

“It certainly speaks volumes that the council has had to make this suggestion to Ministers in order to gain the welcome £2m to make up the education budget shortfall brought about by the secondary schools PFI deal.

“Having spoken to the Lead Member for Education and officers, I gather that the council did indeed flag up the possibility of a PFI deal for primary schools. This would clearly be a long way off and no actual plans exist. Given all the problems with the secondary schools PFI, it seems rather foolhardy to be suggesting a primary schools PFI.”

Cllr Barbara Fabian, Lib Dem Education Spokeswoman, added:

“I would hope that if Haringey is contemplating future PFI deals they would consult stakeholders and parents first.”

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