The Department recognises the importance of cross–government working to improving outcomes for disadvantaged children, as a wide range of factors outside school influence children’s attainment. This includes housing, health and socio–economic deprivation. It described working across government, including through a critical partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on the Child Poverty Taskforce.88 However the Department also recognised that cross–government working is more challenging where, as has been the case, departments do not have a shared aim bringing together their work.89 The Department explained that departments talk to each other, but in having different priorities, it can be challenging to get things done.90 The previous Public Accounts Committee has recognised the value of cross government working to the successful delivery of many government policies and programmes, with a common purpose and shared vision a crucial factor.91 83 Q 9 84 Q 38 85 Qq 30, 39, 40 86 Q 41 87 Q 39 88 Q 34 89 Q34; C&AG’s Report, para 9, 1.18–1.20 90 Q 34 91 Committee of Public Accounts, Cross-Government Working, Twelfth report of session 2023–24, HC 75, 13 February 2024 17