Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 10
10
The extension of both schemes was announced in November 2020.
Conclusion
The extension of both schemes was announced in November 2020. At that stage the initial schemes had not been formally evaluated. The Departments told us that they were undertaking informal evaluations to help them tailor their communications to those the schemes were aimed at. They explained that they would be undertaking full evaluations of all of the schemes, and that these would be made public, but that full evaluations were 14 C&AG’s Report, para 1.11 15 Q 27 16 Q 27 17 C&AG’s Report, para 2.11 18 Q 75 19 Q 10, C&AG’s Report, figure 5 20 HMRC, Extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/ extension-to-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme/extension-of-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme 21 C&AG’s Report, para 3.7 Covid-19: Support for jobs 11 not due until “later next year”. HMRC expected that such evaluations would consider the value for money of the schemes; how individuals with protected characteristics were covered, and the ability of the schemes to meet the needs of different communities.22 The NAO found that, to date, HMRC’s evaluation of the schemes had largely focused on lessons learned around project management as its sought to refine its ongoing delivery. On the wider issue of whether the schemes will have prevented mass unemployment, HM Treasury told us it was too soon to tell, but that the government felt it was the right thing to do to extend the schemes.23
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
4: PAC conclusion: The Departments did not evaluate the schemes or identify which the groups they support before extending them. 4: PAC recommendation HMRC should, as soon as possible, develop and report monthly perfor mance information on the schemes, such as take-up by protected groups and employment outcomes. 4. 1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 4.2 Both departments are already monitoring the use of CJRS and SEISS, and HMRC is regularly publishing Official Statistics on the schemes including analysis of take up by area, age and gender. The CJRS statistics include analysis of the use of flexible furlough. 4.3 In October 2020, HMRC published secondary analysis of ended furloughs, which found that 90% of employees who left the CJRS between April and July 2020 were still on their original payroll in August 2020, suggesting they remained working for their original employer. HMRC also published qualitative and quantitative research, on awareness, understanding and customer experience of the CJRS2. 4.4 HMRC is collecting new primary research to examine jobs outcomes, working closely with HM Treasury to respond to emerging plans and priorities as the pandemic evolves. As announced on gov.uk, the departments will evaluate the CJRS and SEISS schemes and have published a detailed evaluation plan for CJRS. The CJRS evaluation aims to include the impact on employment. The evaluation will capture the extension and we will publish in line with relevant guidance. Some of the longer-term outcomes will be measured and reported in our routine publications.