Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 29
29
Accepted
NISTA's independence within the Treasury is reinforced by direct alignment and an expert advisory council.
Recommendation
We asked NISTA how it will ensure it has sufficient independence to fulfil its function to develop, deliver and challenge the 10-year infrastructure strategy, as part of the Treasury. NISTA told us that moving the NIC’s independent strategic advisory role inside government is more powerful because now the advice will be aligned with government’s intentions and will directly contribute to decision-making.54 We asked what options and actions were open to NISTA if NISTA concluded it did not have sufficient independence to fulfil its role. NISTA told us it has retained the expert advisory council from the NIC, with previous Commissioners transferring to NISTA. NISTA told us how the advisory council will provide advice directly to the CEO of NISTA and the Chief Secretary to ensure there is a strong voice from industry experts.55
Government Response Summary
NISTA will outline milestones for achieving its strategic objectives, including resource allocation to deliver the objectives, ensuring a focus on priority areas such as digital and transformation projects by Summer 2026.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
5. PAC conclusion: NISTA has a broad and stretching range of responsibilities, which will require it to juggle many competing demands on its resources. 5a. PAC recommendation: NISTA should outline milestones for achieving its strategic objectives, including how it will allocate its resources to deliver its objectives, and ensure it retains a focus on priority areas such as digital and transformation projects. 5.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Summer 2026 5.2 NISTA was launched earlier this year to bring together the strategic expertise of the National Infrastructure Commission and the project delivery expertise of the Infrastructure and Projects Authority, creating a new single centre of expertise in relation to the planning for and delivery of major government projects and programmes. NISTA is a joint unit of HM Treasury and Cabinet Office, it will play a crucial role in advising ministers on major projects and infrastructure and will support departments in the planning, development and delivery phases of major projects in the contexts of defence, infrastructure and service transformation. Alongside this advisory role, it will set standards and improve the government’s project capabilities, by continuing to develop guidance and tools, delivering leadership and learning programmes, and effectively communicating lessons learned in relation to both best practice and challenges experienced across the government portfolio. 5.3 Drawing on the principles set out in the 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy, NISTA will progress strategic thinking in relation to social infrastructure needs and spatial planning at a national level. In relation to the Government Major Projects Portfolio, and in some other distinct instances, NISTA will continue to facilitate independent assurance reviews, as well as providing a route to specialist support. NISTA will seek to draw in industry expertise and best practice in the UK and internationally in delivering its remit, as well as making appropriate use of the Expert Advisory Chair and Membership to inform and critically challenge work as it is progressed.