Schools in budget crisis as PFI charges soar

Private Finance Initiative ( PFI ) schools are locked into 25- to 30-year contracts in which charges go up by the highest measure of inflation.

One school said "rigid" and "specific" demands set out in its PFI contract now cost almost 20% of its budget.

More than 900 schools in England were built through PFI contracts, with the first opening in 1999 .

Department for Education says it is increasing support for schools in PFI contracts by 10.4% .

Lord John Hutton says price comparisons are made regularly but school budgets have not kept up with inflation.

The Great PFI Debt on Monday at 8pm on BBC Radio 4 and on BBC Sounds .

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