Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 2
2
Accepted
Outline realistic plans for delivering 14,000 prison places, managing risks and gaining permission.
Conclusion
MoJ’s and HMPPS’s plans to deliver the remaining 14,000 places by 2031 are still fraught with risk and uncertainty. MoJ and HMPPS acknowledge that they have not delivered prison places on time. We accept that they faced several challenges expanding the estate, such as dealing with environmental regulations and site–specific difficulties, but many of these were predictable and could have been managed more effectively with better planning. Furthermore, the difficulty and cost of remaining expansion projects is likely to increase, as HMPPS has already used sites where development is easiest. HMPPS must also re–tender many of its building 3 contracts as one of its major contractors, ISG, went into administration in September 2024. This may further increase delays. Given past issues, MoJ is proposing changes to how government approves planning permission for new prisons through the Crown Development Route; this is yet to come into effect and would bypass local planning committees entirely. HMPPS noted that there is contingency within its revised plans, but that planning permission for one of its new prisons remains uncertain due to an ongoing judicial review. recommendation In the Treasury Minute response, MoJ and HMPPS should outline what they are doing to assure themselves and Parliament that their plans are now realistic. The response should state how MoJ and HMPPS will manage risks and monitor the feasibility of their plans, particularly in relation to gaining required planning permission.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and outlined specific processes for assuring the realism of plans, including Quantitative Schedule Risk Analysis and various monitoring forums. It also detailed plans to secure planning permission via the Crown Development Route (expected spring 2025) and develop a strategic approach to Nutrient Neutrality.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. between December 2023 and December 2024. The process used Quantitative Schedule Risk Analysis alongside Reference Class Forecasting methodology to gain additional assurance. Lessons learned are being applied as programme plans develop, increasing confidence in the feasibility of remaining delivery. MOJ and HMPPS will continue to monitor plans and delivery dates through monthly ‘Integrated Property Plan’ meetings. At-risk milestones are identified and escalated, allowing for more efficient resolution. Programmes must feed into a monthly risk Senior Leadership Team forum, which is responsible for identifying and mitigating cross-cutting risks and issues, as well as a weekly report highlighting slippage and mitigation initiatives for programmes delivering across 2025. The vast majority of the 20,000 prison place programmes now have planning permission, can proceed under Permitted Development Rights, or do not require planning. For future prison builds, where appropriate, the MoJ and HMPPS will seek to secure planning permission through the Crown Development Route, expected to come into force in spring 2025. The revised National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that significant weight should be placed on the importance of new, expanded or upgraded public service infrastructure (such as prisons) when considering development proposals. A strategic approach to achieving Nutrient Neutrality is being developed through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. These measures provide the MoJ and HMPPS with greater assurance on the feasibility of obtaining planning permissions, reducing the risk of delays to delivery timelines.