Recommendation 20

We are also concerned about the impact of inflation on the Plan’s delivery, particularly the Department’s ability to obtain the skills required. The Department told us that it and its suppliers do not have enough data scientists, software engineers or project managers. This puts at risk the delivery of a range of information, communication, and technology programmes.53 This risk may increase if staff leave due to below-inflation pay rises. The Department has offered staff a pay rise of 3.75% and every future additional 1% pay rise above those planned will cost £1.4 billion over the next nine years. The Department acknowledged that the pay settlement was challenging and would remain so.54 Supply chain