What I find particularly irritating is that Leigh highlights Octagon as the major villain and uses the tired "unacceptable face of capitalism" to describe the whole fiasco. He does imply that the public servants were not up to the job but he - a Conservative remember - reserves his real vitriol for the private sector. He could as easily - and more truthfully - said that this is the "unacceptable face of public sector incompetence" but, I assume, this wouldn't be in line with the Boy King's policy of "constructive(=no) opposition".
Is this the same Leigh who speaks for the Tomb- sorry Cornerstone group?
Yes, Leigh is the Cornerstone man...the group that gave Our Man such a tonking during the leadership contest....sorry, we don't mention that.
Actually, I think he does a good job in the PAC, inasmuch as he pursues things pretty relentlessly. OK, he is a bit theatrical at times, but lets face it, all those numbers can get very dry and tedious. And he does get a fair amount of press coverage for the PAC's work(what's that? ...you think it's self-promotion? Tsk, shame on you)
But it is difficult to understand why he turned the spotlight on the private sector operator here.
The level of profit the private sector makes is neither here nor there.
The issue is value for money for the taxpayer, there is overwhelming evidence that PFI is better value for money. The fact that re-financing gains are shared at all reinforces this - no other government contractor who changes their debt will be sharing the proceeds with the government after all.
If you ever wonder about the benefits of PFI you should take a look at the Scottish Parliament.
It is vital for anyone wishing to break up state monopoly provision to support PFI - it moves service provision into the private sector, and the debate for continued use of competition will be affected by PFI's success or failure.
Given the continued resistance to PFI from within the NHS (well documented in Allyson's Pollock's excellent 'NHS, plc'), it is ludicrous to try and blame the ensuing shambles on 'public sector incompetence'. Those of us who actually work in the NHS could see it coming (as with the white elephant that is NHS IT). Private-Public policies are generally rail-roaded thru, whatever the opposition. It's rather akin to negotiating with one hand tied behind your back.
Given the current situation, those re-financing deals are - frankly -outrageous.
As for the rest- spare your blushes, for goodness' sake! Can't you bear the idea that your beloved private sector and city institutions are doing what they do best, and screwing the taxpayer whilst adding very little in the way of 'value' to health-care provision?
As another Norfolk resident it annoys me that the Hospital endlessly whinges that Octagon should give some of the money back, as to do so would be against the law (the company having to maximise shareholder value).
Commenting by HaloScan
