Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 24
24
Acknowledged
We have stressed throughout our work examining the COVID-19 pandemic the importance of government learning...
Conclusion
We have stressed throughout our work examining the COVID-19 pandemic the importance of government learning lessons from its preparedness and response. In July 2021, we reported that the Government’s response to the pandemic had been least effective in areas that we have repeatedly reported on, including data quality and data sharing. We recommended that that lead departments for each of the main pandemic response programmes publish post-project evaluations in a timely manner.45 In March 2022, as part of our inquiry into government preparedness for the pandemic, we highlighted the critical role of international collaboration, including for mutual learning.46 In response the government said it was working to build on the UK’s existing international collaborations including strong bilateral and multilateral relationships, to drive greater and broader collaboration on the global stage.47
Government Response Summary
The government has stressed the importance of learning lessons from its preparedness and response to the COVID-19 pandemic. They cited work to build on the UK’s existing international collaborations including strong bilateral and multilateral relationships, to drive greater and broader collaboration on the global stage.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
6: PAC conclusion: The Departments have yet to fully capture the lessons that must be learnt from the employment support schemes to inform future large-scale government financial interventions. 6: PAC recommendation: The Departments should, by December 2023, publish the lessons that can be learned from the schemes for large-scale financial interventions in the future, and what actions they will take as a result. 6.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: by December 2023 6.2 HM Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs will always look to learn lessons from any major economic events or interventions. The departments will include lessons learned, where appropriate, from the CJRS and the SEISS in the final evaluation reports to be published in 2023. 6.3 HM Treasury and HMRC have developed CJRS and SEISS playbooks, allowing for the rapid deployment of new employment and income support schemes in the future, if required. These playbooks are kept updated and will be amended as necessary upon publication of the CJRS and SEISS evaluations, considering lessons learned and key takeaways. 6.4 Decisions on future large-scale financial interventions – should they be needed – will be for Ministers at the time, based on the circumstances of the economic shock the country is facing. When producing future policy advice, HM Treasury and HMRC officials will consider a full range of feasible approaches, using the playbooks to do so.