19 Accepted

The combined effect of the introduction of an even earlier reimbursement process for pharmacies and...

Conclusion
The combined effect of the introduction of an even earlier reimbursement process for pharmacies and the failure of Greensill Capital placed the Department in a position 15 Q 59 16 Qq 65–66 17 Supply Chain Finance in Government: Boardman Review 18 C&AG’s Report, para 18 19 C&AG’s Report, paras 2.29–2.30 The pharmacy early payment and salary advance schemes in the NHS 13 of making payments in advance of need, which Managing Public Money states should be “exceptional, and should only be considered if a good value for money case for the Exchequer can be made”. HM Treasury approval was sought and obtained for the payment to pharmacies to be made in advance. We asked NHSBSA if it had no idea in the run up to the end of February that there was a problem? NHSBSA told us that it had seen in the news about Greensill Capital and the difficulties it was having with Credit Suisse. NHSBSA also stated that the risk it was mitigating against was the risk of pharmacies failing.20
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's observation and, in response, HM Treasury reissued updated guidance (DAO 03/22) in March 2022, reiterating accounting officers' responsibilities regarding novel and complex financing arrangements.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government Accepted
1.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 1.2 In June 2019, HMT published DAO 02/19, which provided guidance to Accounting Officers in respect of novel and complex financing arrangements. 1.3 Following the Committee’s recommendation, on 18 March 2022 HMT reissued an updated version of DAO 02/19 (DAO 03/22). This reissued DAO reiterates accounting officers’ responsibilities in respect of such schemes and sets out the Committee’s recommendation.
Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age 4.5 yrs
Report published 04 Feb 2022