We asked the Department whether it had completed any evaluations on the benefits that come from long-term funding arrangements such as Private Finance Initiative (PFI) schemes.67 The Department responded that the general view on transport funding was that longer-term funding of assets and infrastructure provided greater certainty and allowed delivery partners to plan, resource and execute work efficiently. However, the Department confirmed that it had not undertaken any evaluations itself, although it does collect data on PFI schemes as part of HM Treasury reporting requirements.68 The Department informed us that as the schemes were ongoing, evaluations had not been conducted despite these contracts not expected to end until 2034.69 It is imperative that whoever is managing the PFI project, normally the Local Authority or Highways England, regularly inspects theses roads to ensure the maintenance is up to date and that they will be returned in the condition specified in the contract. 62 Q 67 63 Q 56 64 C&AG’s Report, para 2.10 65 C&AG’s Report, paras 12, 2.11 66 Q 56 67 Q 48 68 Q 49; Written evidence submitted by the Department for Transport dated 5 December 2024, ‘Local roads in England – Follow up on Private Finance Initiatives’ 69 Qq 50-51; C&AG’s Report, Figure 3 Note 4 17 3 Support for local authorities Updating guidance