Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 20
20
Accepted
Progress reported on recruitment for Pathways to Planning and capacity building programmes
Conclusion
The Department subsequently wrote to us with additional information on this topic. It explained that: • Since it began funding the Pathways to Planning programme in 2023, two cohorts of graduates had been placed into LPAs, both of which started in September 2024. There were 87 placements in total, and recruitment for the subsequent intake had attracted over 2,100 applications. • Some 45 experienced professionals had been recruited into LPAs, with a further 80 expected to be placed during 2025–26. • The Planning Capacity and Capability programme was taking forward a programme of support, working with partners across the planning sector to ensure that LPAs had the skills and capacity they needed, modernise local plans, and speed up decision making, including through innovative use of digital planning and software.29 Financial viability assessments
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee’s recommendation to improve the pipeline of new planners and help LPAs to retain experienced planners through the Planning Capacity and Capability Programme. £48 million of additional investment will strengthen planning capacity across the public sector, enabling the funding of 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.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
4. PAC conclusion: We are unconvinced that the Department is adequately addressing staffing capacity and capability issues within local planning authorities. 4. PAC recommendation: Alongside the Treasury Minute, the Department should write to the Committee setting out, in detail, how the Capacity and Capability Programme will improve the pipeline of new planners and help LPAs to retain experienced planners. 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.