Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 18
18
Accepted
Significant capacity and skills imbalance exists between public and private planning sectors
Conclusion
There is an imbalance in capacity and capability between the public and private sector. Larger developers are generally better resourced with people who have specialist skills for negotiation.25 In its written evidence, the Chartered Institute of Housing expressed concern that local planning departments across England had faced significant reductions in staffing levels, with reduced capacity causing delays in planning approvals and loss of skills.26 A recent report by the Department found that 97% of planning departments reported planning skills gaps, with around half reporting skills gaps specifically in CIL, Section 106 and viability assessments.27
Government Response Summary
The government will strengthen planning capacity and capability across local authorities through the Planning Capacity and Capability (C&C) Programme, including expanding the pipeline of new planners, retaining and developing experienced planners, and supporting planning reform, with additional investment to fund 350 additional planners.
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.