The Government is to create an operational task force to help councils get the best out of private-finance initiatives (PFIs). Partnerships UK will lead the task force, which will support councils and their PFI project managers to deliver better contract management.

The task force will set up a small group of experts and create an operational helpdesk to assist the public sector resolve contractual issues. Chief executive of Partnerships UK, James Stewart, said PFI now represented 10% of all public investment and £26bn was now committed for future projects in the pipeline.