Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 12
12
Accepted
Ensure ongoing support for local authorities to conduct successful, good-value charge point procurements
Recommendation
These issues have led to delays; by October 2024 only 10 out of 78 projects had been approved for delivery against a March 2025 deadline. These delays have meant that many local authorities are going to market at similar times, posing the risk that the market may not have the capacity to serve them all and some procurements fail.20 The Department must ensure that local authorities remain supported to conduct successful procurements and secure good value through competition between operators. The Department stated that the market overall is ‘fiercely competitive’, and did not want to shuffle individual procurements around as this would just artificially delay some local authorities. The Department told us, however, that it does monitor the situation and let local authorities know what is in the procurement pipeline so they can make choices about when is best to approach the market.21 It has also extended the programme’s capability funding beyond March 2025 to continue supporting local authorities.22 Ultra rapid charging on the strategic road network
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and commits to continuing to support local authorities, citing the approval of more LEVI projects, substantial capital funding awards, and an additional £22 million to the LEVI Capability Fund for 2025-26 to ensure local authorities retain expertise. The department will also update the Committee within six months.
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.