7 Accepted

We asked about the capacity of both government and the private sector to deliver large...

Conclusion
We asked about the capacity of both government and the private sector to deliver large increases in activity efficiently and effectively. The Government’s commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 will add further challenges to meeting these commitments.8 The IPA told us that it sees the government’s plans as ambitious but achievable. It has assessed the supply chain and, provided that there are stable long- term plans, it believes industry will invest in the capabilities needed to meet the level of activity planned.9 The National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) agreed in its written submission to us.10
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's observations, highlighting existing measures taken by HM Treasury to ensure delivery capacity, such as integrating deliverability checklists into spending proposals, embedding an outcomes-focused approach in Spending Review 2020, and establishing Project Speed with its 85 reforms from the National Infrastructure Strategy.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government Accepted
1.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendations. Target implementation date: August 2021 1.2 HM Treasury has taken significant steps to ensure that the public and private sectors have the capacity to deliver on its investment commitments and this was a priority ahead of the 2020 Spending Review. To support this, government departments worked with functional experts on key programmes and deliverability and feasibility were integrated into the planning and spending process, for example by requiring departments to use the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) deliverability checklist in their spending proposals. Further scrutiny was applied by a technical appraisal panel on the analysis of specific capital proposals where required. 1.3 Spending Review 2020 also embedded a new focus on real-world outcomes and tied spending and performance more closely together, to ensure that spending delivers value for money. Provisional priority outcomes were published for each UK government department, capturing the government’s long-term policy objectives, from reducing crime to improving education standards across the country. This outcomes- focused approach is part of implementing the Public Value Framework and will place real-world outcomes front and centre in departmental planning and delivery. 1.4 HM Treasury has also established Project Speed, in collaboration with 10 Downing Street and the IPA, to deliver infrastructure projects better, greener and faster. Around 85 Project Speed reforms were announced in the National Infrastructure Strategy in November 2020. The department is now focused on implementing these reforms alongside developing new options to ensure the government is able to deliver on its investment commitments in a timely manner. 1.5 HM Treasury will write to the Committee within six months setting out further information on these measures.
Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age 5.5 yrs
Report published 29 Jan 2021