Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 26
26
Deferred
HS2 Ltd fails to monitor total spending on environmental mitigation schemes.
Conclusion
HS2 Ltd does not monitor how much in total it spends on environmental mitigation. For example, we asked HS2 Ltd how much it was spending on wildlife migration schemes such as for the great crested newt at Halse Copse. In its follow–up letter, HS2 Ltd told us that it was not able 38 Qq 15–16, 18; Letter from DfT on cost breakdown of the HS2 bat mitigation structure at Sheephouse Wood, dated 31 January 2025 39 Qq 15–16, 18 40 Q 18; Letter from DfT on cost breakdown of the HS2 bat mitigation structure at Sheephouse Wood, dated 31 January 2025 41 Qq 15–16, 18 42 Q 16 43 Letter from DfT on cost breakdown of the HS2 bat mitigation structure at Sheephouse Wood, dated 31 January 2025 16 to provide that information as the provision and maintenance of habitat migration forms part of ‘integrated work packages’ and HS2 Ltd had set no requirement in these contracts to segregate the cost of mitigation schemes.44
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the conclusion but defers a final response until early 2026, pending the finalisation and Royal Assent of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and a full understanding of its measures, which would inform a re-assessment of this issue.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Summer 2025 4.2 The department intends to provide the Committee with a preliminary response in its letter to the Committee before the Summer recess begins in July 2025. 4.3 The proposed measures in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill which would inform a re-assessment of this issue, including the Nature Restoration Fund and Environmental Delivery Plans, are not anticipated to be finalised, nor receive Royal Assent, until later in the year. 4.4 Once the measures are confirmed, and it is understood how they are intended to work in practice, the department will provide a final response to the Committee. This should be possible by early 2026. 4.5 The department is already working with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to inform operation of the measures in response to the issues raised by the legal requirements for the HS2 bat mitigation structure.