Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 1
1
Accepted
Committee took evidence on Department for Work and Pensions' Universal Credit implementation progress
Conclusion
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Department for Work & Pensions (the Department) on progress in implementing Universal Credit (UC).1
Government Response Summary
The government states it has existing evaluation requirements from the Green and Magenta Books, has set up an Evaluation Task Force, published updated guidance on Treasury Approvals in April 2024, and will update the Magenta Book in 2025 to clarify evaluation guidance.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented Existing guidance from the Green Book already requires all business cases to include a plan for evaluation, and the Magenta Book states that proportionate evaluation is key to accountability and maximising learning. The Magenta Book also covers that a basic value-for- money evaluation compares the costs and benefits achieved through the programme against the original expectations outlined in the business case. The government has set up the Evaluation Task Force to work with departments to ensure that robust evaluations are undertaken. This will enable departments to assure Parliament, and by extension the public, about the extent to which economic benefits included in business cases have been achieved. The government has published updated guidance on the Treasury Approvals Process for projects and programmes in April 2024. The new guidance places increased emphasis on the importance of having a plan for evaluation when developing spending proposals. The government will publish an update to the Magenta Book in 2025 to clarify guidance and expectations around evaluating impacts and economic benefits included in business cases.