Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 10
10
Accepted
LEVI programme's dual funding model successfully engaged all eligible local authorities
Conclusion
The £450m LEVI programme supports local authorities in England to install charge points where they identify they are most needed.14 The Department has learned important lessons from previous schemes such as its On–Street Residential Charge point scheme. Many central government grants to local authorities are demand–led, requiring local authorities to submit applications for funding, meaning that funding goes to local authorities with the capability to make good applications, rather than necessarily to where it may be most needed.15 With LEVI, the Department allocated all local authorities with both capital funding and a share of £50 million of capability funding to hire staff so that local authorities could then plan projects to use with their capital funding. It also provided technical and commercial expertise through a support body. This has meant that all eligible local authorities have engaged with LEVI.16
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the Committee's conclusion and provides an update on the LEVI programme, highlighting further project approvals, significant capital funding awards, and an additional £22 million for the LEVI Capability Fund for 2025-26, demonstrating continued support for local authorities within the existing framework.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: September 2025 2.2 The department will write to the Committee within six months to provide an update on the progress and delivery of the LEVI programme, including the areas specified in the recommendation. 2.3 Since publication of the Committee’s report, a further 28 projects have been approved. As of the end of March 2025, 38 of the 78 LEVI projects have been approved for delivery. In addition, a further 33 projects have been issued with their funding alongside actions to complete ahead of procurement. By the end of financial year 2024-25, £324.6 million of LEVI capital funding was awarded to 71 projects. These projects comprised 100 local authorities as some collaborated and submitted joint applications. The department continues to work closely with local authorities to ensure they are supported to progress their LEVI projects. 2.4 In December 2024, the government confirmed an additional £22 million to continue the LEVI Capability Fund in financial year 2025-26. This should help ensure local authorities can retain existing expertise to deliver LEVI projects and wider charging infrastructure.