This week a report from the Public Accounts Committee concluded: "We found no clear and explicit justification for the use of PFI in terms of value for money."
The private finance inititiative has come under increasing scrutiny as budgets are tightened in all areas of state spending. Questions over transparency, cost and the length of contracts are being asked more regularly and with more urgency.
Jesse Norman, Conservative MP for Hereford has called for a rebate from profiteering private contractors.
Paul Jarvis is editor of Partnerships Bulletin - an industry trade magazine. He says that while there have been problems with PFI, it is responsible for many well-run schools and hospitals.
Dan Milmo is the Guardian's transport correspondent. He reported on the collapse of Metronet - a private contractor working on London's Tube system.
Mark Hellowell is a lecturer at the University of Edinburgh in political science and has conducted research into the cost-effectiveness of the private finance initiative.
Owen Hatherley is an architecture critic and author of A Guide To The New Ruins of Great Britain.
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