Twelfth Report - COVID 19: Cost Tracker Update

The government states it has already continued to work with departments to develop robust methodologies for capturing COVID-19 costs, leading to improved data quality in the September 2021 cost tracker update and informing the Autumn Budget and Spending Review 2021.

The government agrees with the recommendation, stating it is already actively managing fiscal risks through its Fiscal Risks Group, the OBR's fiscal risk statements, and new contingent liabilities frameworks, with details on management plans included in the Autumn Budget and Spending Review 2021.

The government agrees to publish updated accounting officer assessment guidance by December 2021 and continue training on Managing Public Money. However, it does not specifically commit to reviewing major COVID-related spending decisions for poor value for money as recommended.

The government agrees and states the recommendation is implemented, confirming that Spending Review 2021 provides funding to the British Business Bank for administering loan schemes, managing risks, developing financial crime capabilities, and strengthening audit programmes. It also details collaboration with lenders and the BBB's oversight of lender obligations for loan recovery.

The government agrees and states the recommendation is implemented, referencing the Autumn Budget and Spending Review 2021 which set out spending plans for recovery. It details significant funding commitments across health, education, criminal justice, and local authorities to address the pandemic's impacts and support recovery.

The government agrees and states the recommendation is implemented, highlighting that HM Treasury has consistently worked closely with the National Audit Office to support and develop the COVID-19 cost tracker.

The government confirms it is already working closely with the National Audit Office (NAO) and departments to support the COVID-19 cost tracker, sharing information, assisting returns, and reconciling data.

The government is already working closely with the National Audit Office (NAO) and departments to identify, track, and reconcile COVID-19 related spending for the cost tracker, and continues to develop these partnerships.

The government confirms it continues to work closely with the National Audit Office (NAO) and departments to support the COVID-19 cost tracker publications, sharing information and reconciling data.

The government states it has continued to work closely with departments to develop robust methodologies for the cost tracker, improving data quality. It also refers to the Autumn Budget and Spending Review 2021 which included a comprehensive recovery plan and required departments to provide detailed costings for pandemic response and recovery interventions.

The government states it has continued to work with departments to improve cost tracker methodologies and data quality, and that the Autumn Budget and Spending Review 2021 involved comprehensive costing information from departments for pandemic response and recovery.

The government states it continues to work closely with departments to develop robust methodologies and improve the quality of cost tracker data. It also points to the Autumn Budget and Spending Review 2021 as incorporating comprehensive costing information for pandemic response and recovery.

The government acknowledged the conclusion, reiterating that the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated an unprecedented, flexible spending control framework, with decisions made amidst high uncertainty while still adhering to Managing Public Money standards.

The government acknowledges the unprecedented nature of the pandemic response and HM Treasury's flexible approach, noting it is considering lessons learned for future crises and awaits conclusions from NAO studies on COVID-19 spending.

The government agrees with the committee's observation, stating it is already actively managing fiscal risks through its Fiscal Risks Group and the OBR's fiscal risk statements, and has recently launched new frameworks for managing contingent liabilities.

The government agrees with the committee's observation, committing to publish updated accounting officer assessment guidance by December 2021 to clarify risk appetite and multi-departmental roles, and will publicise these requirements through training.

The government commits to publishing updated accounting officer assessment guidance by December 2021, covering risk appetite and clarifying roles in multi-departmental services. It will also continue to publicise these requirements through training and induction for new accounting officers.

The government accepted the recommendation, stating it will publish updated accounting officer assessment guidance by the end of the year to clarify risk appetite and multi-departmental roles, and will continue publicising requirements through training.

The government agrees with the committee's observation, stating it has provided resources and funding via Spending Review 2021 to the British Business Bank to administer loan schemes, enhance financial crime and audit capabilities, and transform its data and risk functions to mitigate taxpayer risks.

The government agrees with the committee's observation, stating it has provided funding through Spending Review 2021 to the British Business Bank to administer loan schemes, enhance financial crime capability, and transform its data and risk functions to manage associated taxpayer risks.

The government agrees and states the recommendation is implemented, having provided significant resources and funding through Spending Review 2021 to the British Business Bank for ongoing administration, risk management, and transformation of COVID-19 loan schemes.

The government agrees with the committee's observation, stating the Autumn Budget and Spending Review 2021 has set out spending plans prioritizing COVID-19 recovery by integrating costs into departmental activities and allocating specific funding for health, education, and local government recovery.

The government agrees and states the recommendation is implemented, having outlined spending plans up to 2024-25 in the Autumn Budget and Spending Review 2021, including significant funding for COVID-19 recovery and public services.

The government agrees with the committee's point and states the recommendation is implemented, having provided resources for the British Business Bank to administer loan schemes and setting out spending plans up to 2024-25 in the Autumn Budget and Spending Review 2021.