Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 17
17
Local planning authorities face severe staffing problems and planner exodus to private sector
Recommendation
Research from the sector suggests that staffing in local planning authorities (LPAs) is a serious problem. The Royal Town Planning Institute’s 2023 State of the Profession report found that, in the period 2013–2020, around a quarter of planners left the public sector, while the private sector grew by two-thirds. A 2022 survey by the Local Government Association found that 58% of local authorities in England experienced difficulties in recruiting planning officers. Staffing issues within LPA planning teams are largely due to the working environment, caseloads and pay, and many planners find opportunities in the private sector more attractive.24
Government Response
A response document is linked to this report, dated 19 January 2026. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document ↗