Third Report - Delivering the Government’s infrastructure commitments through major projects
Select Committee
Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
HC 125
28 July 2020
Government response
Third Special Report - Delivering the Government’s infrastructure commitments through major projects: Government Response to the Committee’s Third report · published 14 Oct 2020
Recommendations & Conclusions
6 results
1
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 43
The Government has committed to the largest investment in infrastructure in decades, which it believes...
Conclusion
The Government has committed to the largest investment in infrastructure in decades, which it believes has the potential to support a fairer and more equitable national economy. However, there is also great potential to waste this money on “white elephant” …
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Government Response Summary
The government reiterates its commitment to the "levelling up" agenda to spread opportunity across the UK and will provide further details on its long-term infrastructure ambitions and their role in this agenda at the upcoming Spending Review and in the National Infrastructure Strategy.
2
Recommendation
Deferred
Para 44
The overall framework for this investment should be provided by the National Infrastructure Strategy, but...
Recommendation
The overall framework for this investment should be provided by the National Infrastructure Strategy, but this is significantly delayed and has yet to be published. The Government is keen to spend money quickly as part of the Coronavirus “bounce back” …
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Government Response Summary
The government indicates that further details about its long-term infrastructure ambitions and the National Infrastructure Strategy will be set out at the Spending Review and in the NIS 'this autumn', deferring the publication requested by the committee.
8
Recommendation
Deferred
Para 50
Government should prioritise understanding local needs.
Recommendation
Government should prioritise understanding local needs. Fully populated local needs assessments should be published when projects are announced to demonstrate the purpose of such projects. The IPA should require these assessments as part of the documentation for projects in the …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that its Green Book methodology already identifies social value and is currently being reviewed to enhance assessment of local impacts. It doesn't commit to requiring or publishing local needs assessments, only noting that departments 'may' include them.
14
Recommendation
Deferred
If the Government is serious about its levelling up agenda, it should consider how it...
Recommendation
If the Government is serious about its levelling up agenda, it should consider how it takes into account local needs when determining infrastructure projects. The Committee would like the Cabinet Office to respond to this report outlining whether it intends …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the important role of local areas and existing devolved funding but defers full details of infrastructure funding and devolution plans to future publications like the NIS and a Devolution and Local Recovery White Paper.
24
Recommendation
Deferred
Para 102
All projects should include proper public consultation as part of the early decision making phase.
Recommendation
All projects should include proper public consultation as part of the early decision making phase. Projects should consider setting up an independent arm to lead on public engagement that is proportionate to the scale and profile of the project. Projects …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that the IPA's Get to Green programme will explore the possibility of reviewing how projects undertake public consultation as part of early decision-making and demonstrating engagement, within a broader project delivery framework.
31
Recommendation
Deferred
Para 128
The IPA should review the data that it publishes in its Major Project Annual Report,...
Recommendation
The IPA should review the data that it publishes in its Major Project Annual Report, and this should be extended at least to add timelines of project approvals and estimates.
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges that increased transparency would be beneficial and states the IPA will review the proposal to consider whether project approval timelines and estimates can be added to the annual report.