Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 30
30
Accepted
Publication of business cases and strategy updates significantly enhances project transparency and accountability.
Recommendation
We noted that we had previously heard that projects on the GMPP would have their summary business cases published following final approval and evaluations.56 We asked what difference the publications of these could make to project governance. The Treasury told us that it set an expectation that all business cases are published four months after they have received their final sign-off. It said that publication is an important part of improving 51 Committee of Public Accounts, Government’s use of private finance for infrastructure, Thirty-Ninth Report of Session 2024–25, HC 821, 11 July 2025 52 Q 25 53 GMP0006 54 Q 52 55 Q 53 56 Committee of Public Accounts, Lessons from major projects and programmes, Thirty-Ninth Report of Session 2019–21, HC 694, 29 January 2021 17 transparency, setting out the parameters and expectations on which a project is being delivered.57 NISTA highlighted that the publications demonstrated a level of accountability and visibility over what the intention is. It also said that the 10-year infrastructure strategy and the pipeline would become more relevant, noting that there would be annual NISTA updates on performance against the strategy.58 The OVFM told us that publishing a strategy and delivery plan will help to address planning requirements and address transparency to the public.59 57 Qq 66-67 58 Q 66 59 Q 4 18
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.