Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 11
11
NS&I questions evidence-based decisions and deflects blame for Programme failures.
Conclusion
When we asked if decisions were being taken based on evidence, NS&I said that “there is always a chance that assumptions are incorrect”.26 The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority had found that NS&I’s understanding of the alternative approaches had not been robust, and NS&I said its understanding had improved since the Programme started. However, it also sought to blame Atos’s financial difficulties, saying it had needed to spend time, energy and resources developing continuity plans instead of on the Programme.27 NS&I dismissed suggestions that it should have done more work at the start, saying “you can always do more analysis”, and appeared to blame suppliers for not bidding for Programme contracts.28 A good news culture can prevent lessons being learnt
Government Response
Response Pending
HM Government
Response Pending
The Treasury and NS&I acknowledge these concerns and are committed to addressing them through robust planning, risk management, and governance. NS&I is working to develop a comprehensive integrated plan that includes clear timelines, cost estimates, and resource allocation. NS&I has strengthened its systems integration capabilities and is ensuring that decisions are based on sound evidence and analysis.