Recommendation 20

NS&I told us it had now successfully completed all the procurement stages and secured all the suppliers for the Rainbow Programme, meaning it was moving into the delivery phase. Despite meeting this milestone, NS&I still described the Rainbow Programme as a “big, complex programme” with many moving parts and challenges. NS&I explained that the three successful suppliers had developed their plans in isolation, meaning there was currently only a “loose plan” for the Rainbow Programme. NS&I added that it was going through a process of creating an “integrated plan” with the three suppliers.36 We questioned NS&I on the revised timeline for the Rainbow Programme and whether there are contingency plans for any further delays. NS&I told us it expected the Rainbow 31 Qq 65, 68; C&AG’s Report para 2.14, Figure 7 32 Qq 68–69; C&AG’s Report para 3.25 33 Q 69 34 Qq 70, 88 35 Q 82; C&AG’s Report, para 3.25 36 Qq 85–86, 90 Managing government borrowing 15 Programme to be delivered in 2024–25, but should there be any further delays the Atos contract can be extended beyond the current extension by a further 12 months to April 2025.37 Skills, experience and institutional knowledge