Democratic Health Network

RELEASE IMMEDIATE: 13 August 2003

Before you get LIFTed

The Democratic Health Network (DHN) today launched a new publication on Local Improvement Finance Trusts (LIFT). The publication, entitled what you need to know and what you need to ask, has been produced jointly with the public sector union Unison.

The LIFT scheme was announced in the NHS Plan in 2000 and is part of a trend in the National Health and other public services to involve the private sector in financing buildings and services. Like the wider Private Finance Initiative (PFI), but intended for smaller projects, LIFT means the private sector taking over the ownership, financing and management of public services and tying the public sector into exclusive long-term contracts with private companies. The first wave of LIFT schemes across the country involve over a 1 billion in taxpayers' money.

This DHN/ Unison publication is intended for trade unionists, non-executive directors of NHS Primary care Trust (PCTs), councillors, local government officers, school governors and other in the public and voluntary sector whose organisations may become involved in LIFT contracts. It explains the legal and financial complexities of the various stages of LIFT contracts as the scheme is being rolled out across the country following local pilot schemes in health and education.

Dr Fiona Campbell, DHN's Co-ordinator, said: "Primary Care Trusts and local authorities are being rushed into local LIFT schemes before their implications have been tested and similar schemes for education are in the pipeline.

"LIFT has the disadvantages of PFI and a few new ones of its own. This publication explains as clearly as possible the complexities of LIFT schemes and why they should be treated with extreme caution."

Karen Jennings, UNISON Head of Health, said: "In the NHS alone there are 42 schemes worth over 1 billion in the first wave of investment. LIFT is already big business. It is a genetically modified form of PFI with all of the disadvantages of PFI and a few new ones thrown in for good measure.

ENDS

For further information contact:
Kevin Morton Tel. 020 7554 2858; Mobile 07958 314846; E mail kevin.morton@lgiu.org.uk Mary Wimbury Tel. 020 7554 2845; Mobile 07958 521344; E mail mary.wimbury@lgiu.org.uk

Notes to Editors

1. The Democratic Health Network (DHN) was set up by the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) to provide policy advice, information, research and the exchange of good practice on the developing relationship between local government and health, and to support the democratic role of local government in health improvement. The DHN has over 100 members, the majority being local authorities, but also including health bodies and trade unions.

2. The LGIU is Britain's foremost independent local democracy think tank, campaigning to extend local authority best practice, freedoms and responsibilities. Recent initiatives have included the Commission on Local Governance and the LGIU is working to influence the debate on local government modernisation. The LGIU and its education service TEN (The Education Network) also provides research, policy briefings, information, advice, training and lobbying services to 150 local authority and trade union affiliates. Previous LGIU news releases and statements can be viewed at http://www.lgiu.gov.uk.

3. Copies of Local Improvement Finance Trusts - what you need to know and what you need to ask - a briefing for non-experts are on sale at £5 each (£2.50 to LGIU affiliates) from Central Books on 0845 458 9910, 0845 458 9912 (fax) or e-mail mo@centralbooks.com. For a free media copy of please contact Kevin Morton on 020 7554 2858.