HM Treasury News Release 170/98 21 October 1998 ---------------------------------------------------------------- GEOFFREY ROBINSON CALLS ON PFI BIDDERS TO WORK WITH TRADE UNIONS New Treasury Taskforce guidelines highlighting staff consultation will lead to greater openness in PFI projects, Paymaster General Geoffrey Robinson announced today. The procedures outlined today - which have the full support of the CBI and TUC - are designed to encourage transparency and openness during the consultation with staff and other interested parties. Calling for greater trust and cooperation between Departments, bidders and trade unions, Geoffrey Robinson said: "The quality of the service which PFI projects deliver depends on the skills and commitment of its staff. Openness between bidders, trade unions and staff is an essential part of any well run procurement process. "By working closely with staff representatives and acting positively, and by taking on the responsibility for retraining affected staff, the private sector can deliver a good deal for the public as well as creating valuable alternative employment opportunities. Trade unions know this too. Applied sensibly, these guidelines will ensure that their concerns are listened to. I want to see trade unions use it in that way. "I also look to other Departments and public bodies to remove the cloak of secrecy surrounding PFI and allow the free flow of information on PFI projects. Hiding behind the empty phrase "commercial confidentiality" will no longer be the easy option." NOTES TO EDITORS 1. The Treasury Taskforce Private Finance Policy Statement No. 4 "Disclosure of Information and Consultation with Staff and other Interested Parties" is published today. 2. The guidance explains how the contract award process needs to include an assessment of each bidder's ability to attract and retain a well-motivated staff of the right calibre for there to be confidence about the bidders' ability to deliver the required service. It explains how trade unions and other bodies can contribute to the contract award process. 3. Provided it is relevant, bidders will be asked to submit a statement of their track record in employment and this could include wages and conditions, labour relations, health and safety and training. Subject to EC legal constraints, unions will be invited to provide the public sector client with relevant information on the fitness of potential candidates and meet with short-listed bidders. 4. Media enquiries and requests for copies of the document should be addressed to Malcolm Graves in the Press Office on 0171 270 5192. Further information on the publications issued today, contact Tim Wilson, Head of the Taskforce policy arm on 0171 270 4702. The news release is available on the internet at http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk # = pounds sterling