Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 20
20
We heard that a lot of the missions were cross-cutting and would require leadership from...
Conclusion
We heard that a lot of the missions were cross-cutting and would require leadership from several departments while others were more focussed and there would be more of a role for a lead department.59 For example, the Accounting Officer from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy told us that she was accountable for targets in the White Paper relating to innovation.60 We queried whether HM Treasury, which ultimately holds the purse strings, felt responsible for delivering on levelling up. HM Treasury told us that its accounting officer was not accountable for the Levelling Up Fund or for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and that the overarching mission relating to pay, productivity and employment was inherently cross-cutting and touched every government department.61 Formal accountability for the UKSPF sits with the Department, it shares accountability for the Levelling Up Fund with the Department for Transport.62 Approach to evaluation
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
6.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Autumn 2022 6.2 The Levelling Up White Paper sets out twelve missions that support levelling up outcomes. Missions are a tool to break down silos and encourage collaboration across the public, private and voluntary sectors. To ensure missions deliver these benefits the department have implemented a new architecture across central government to support delivery. The ‘mission architecture’ provides clear accountability through named individuals taking responsibility for progress and puts in place structures designed to smooth interdepartmental cooperation on a mission-by-mission basis. This includes the Levelling Up Cabinet Sub-Committee, which has been established to embed levelling up across central government policy design and delivery. Once these arrangements have been confirmed with new ministers, the department and HM Treasury will write to the Committee separately with further details.