Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 18
18
Accepted
DBT strengthened policy-delivery links; new legislation to improve business rates data sharing.
Conclusion
We were pleased to hear from DBT that the connection between policy and delivery within the department has been strengthened, and feedback from local authorities is 24 Qq 67, 72 25 Qq 22, 107–112; Letter to the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee from Gareth Davies, Permanent Secretary, Department for Business and Trade, 25 May 2023 26 Ev LGS0001, page 2 27 Qq 24–25 28 C&AG’s Report, paras 2.19–2.20; Qq 11 and 57 29 Ev LGS0001, page 2 30 Qq 11, 57 and 118; C&AG’s Report, paras 2.7 and 2.20 31 Qq 102–105 32 Qq 102 and 105; C&AG’s Report, paras 2.11, 2.13, and 2.25–2.26, and Figure 10 33 Qq 103; 82, 83 34 Qq 15, 102 12 Local authority administered COVID support schemes in England reaching policy teams more quickly.35 BEIS had already created a grants programme board including representatives of local authorities during 2021.36 HM Treasury wrote to us after the evidence session and informed us that the government is legislating to place a duty on businesses paying business rates to provide up-to-date information to the Valuation Office Agency after moving into a property and when there are changes to their property or rent. The intention is for this information to be shared with local authorities. In addition, a Digitalising Business Rates project is intended to connect local authority business rates data with HMRC tax data.37 Capacity to oversee grants
Government Response Summary
The government confirms the recommendation is implemented, highlighting the creation of the new Grant Delivery Directorate (GDD) to centralise and oversee grant schemes, aiming for a consistent approach, protection of public money, and value for money. The GDD will also facilitate sharing best practices and lessons learned across government.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 4.2 DBT has created a new Grant Delivery Directorate (GDD) as part of the Corporate Services Group. The benefit of a centralised team is achievement of a best-in-class delivery service with economies of scale in terms of resourcing; providing long-term grant delivery capacity. 4.3 The GDD team will oversee the design, development and delivery of all new DBT Grant Schemes, delivering a consistent approach. The approach will protect public money and recover funds where necessary, monitor all awards and combat fraud; and ensure value for money grant delivery for all schemes. 4.4 The GDD continues to work closely with the Government Grant Management Function within Cabinet Office who will identify and make improvement recommendations. Lessons learned will be shared and case studies provided for wider discussion where appropriate. Throughout DBT will seek to remain compliant with GOVS15 Functional Standard for Grants and the Grants Functional Blueprint. 4.5 Opportunities to share best practice and experience with the wider grant community incorporating COVID-19 scheme lessons learned will be instigated and exhibited, including via the Cabinet Office Grant Champions Forum, and learning from anticipated Cabinet Office Emergency Situation Grants guidance implemented for future schemes. 4.6 DBT anticipates publication of the Ipsos C19 evaluation report later this autumn with wide dissemination to partners, stakeholders and other government departments.