Private Finance initiative (PFI) contracts have been and will be with us for some considerable time but there’s an ever-increasing number of PFI contracts now set to expire.

Stephen Ottewell, Director of Planning and Building Control at Capita, interviews planning experts - this Q and A focuses on sustainable development.

In this series of local government Q&As, Stephen Ottewell, Director of Planning and Building Control at Capita Local Public Services, interviews planning experts on hot topics in the sector, including the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In July 2020 the Government published its much-anticipated draft Building Safety Bill. Described by the Housing Secretary as the “biggest improvements to building safety in nearly 40 years”, the Bill goes beyond the traditional boundaries of regulatory change and seeks to bring forward a clearer regulatory system with residents’ safety at its heart.

For the past decade, PFI (private finance initiative) contracts have been in place to support the public sector with the management of their existing estates and facilities.

The Economic impact of digital inclusion in the UK report has found every £1 invested in building essential digital skills contributes £9.48 to the UK economy.

The theme for this year’s National Apprenticeship Week is ‘Build the Future’ and is designed to encourage everyone to consider how apprenticeships help individuals to build the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career.

How can levelling-up be truly achieved when there’s still a large gap between those who are digitally included and those in our communities who are not?

For the NHS, delivering quality services in well-maintained, secure environments is integral for the safety and comfort of patients.

We look at public sector digital transformation projects delivered during the pandemic such as the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) Test and Trace programme.