Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 17
17
Accepted
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 Summary
The government agreed to strengthen planning capacity and capability across local authorities through the Planning Capacity and Capability (C&C) Programme. This includes expanding the pipeline of new planners, retaining and developing experienced planners, and supporting planning reform. An additional £28.8 million is dedicated to the C&C Programme.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: March 2026 4.2 The department is committed to strengthening planning capacity and capability across local authorities through the Planning Capacity and Capability (C&C) Programme. This programme provides targeted support to build a resilient, skilled, and diverse workforce able to meet housing and growth ambitions. It funds recruitment and retention, supports training and upskilling, and prepares local planning authorities for planning reform. 4.3 The C&C Programme focuses on three key priorities: • Expanding the pipeline of new planners through the Pathways to Planning graduate scheme and Public Practice to attract mid-career professionals. Additional funding will launch a Planning Careers Hub to open new routes into the profession and improve retention. • Retaining and developing experienced planners, including around £2.8 million in 2025-26 for the Planning Advisory Service to deliver specialist training, leadership development, and tailored guidance. • Supporting planning reform, ensuring the workforce has the skills and capacity to deliver proactive, efficient planning services and contribute to the delivery of 1.5 million homes. 4.4 At the 2025 Autumn Budget, the government announced £48 million of additional investment to strengthen planning capacity across the public sector. Of this, £28.8 million is dedicated to the C&C Programme, enabling scale-up over the next three years. This will fund 350 additional planners, on top of the original commitment to recruit 300, bringing the total to around 1,325 planners by the end of this Parliament. Wider cross-government initiatives will take the total number of planning recruits supported by the Budget to around 1,400. Engagement with sector partners continues to inform programme design and future interventions.