Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 32
32
Acknowledged
No comprehensive profiled list of projects funded by redirected HS2 savings exists
Conclusion
The Department told us it had already announced separately how some of this funding will be redirected.67 For example, on 23 October it announced a £150 million reallocation of HS2 funding to support bus services.68 It also announced additional funds for mayoral combined authorities to be provided through City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements.69 In written evidence provided after the session the Department added that it had made a commitment to increase the government contribution to ‘most existing Major Road Network and Large Local Major road schemes’ from 85% to 100%, subject to business case approval.70 We asked when there would be a profiled list, with costs, of what is going to be delivered with the £36 billion. The Department said it would be wanting that internally and would talk to Ministers about how to provide transparency by making some of it public.71 In written evidence provided after the session, the Department added 60 Department for Transport: NETWORK NORTH: TRANSFORMING BRITISH TRANSPORT, CP 946, October 2023 (page 23) 61 Q 141 62 Department for Transport: NETWORK NORTH: TRANSFORMING BRITISH TRANSPORT, CP 946, October 2023 63 Qq 112, 113 64 Q 145 65 Q 145 66 Qq 114, 142 67 Q 143 68 Major £150 million funding boost for local bus services as fare cap set to be extended – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 69 Network North CRSTS2 indicative allocations, 4 October 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk); q143 70 Correspondence from the Department for Transport to the Public Accounts Committee, dated 8 December 2023 71 Q 143 HS2 and Euston 19 that it was working closely with Number 10 and the Cabinet Office to deliver the Network North programme effectively and to share public updates on progress against projects and schemes included in the announcement regularly.72 72 Correspondence from the Department for Transport to Public Accounts Committee, dated 8 December 2023 Q 143 20 HS2 and Euston
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's points on funding redirection and previous announcements. They confirm that progress will be reported against individual Network North schemes as they mature, covering funding, location, and timescales, with all schemes subject to business case approval and formal governance.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
6.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 6.2 Network North is a collection of schemes that sit across the department’s portfolio. As schemes are at varying stages of maturity and development, progress will be reported against individual schemes as and when they are appropriately matured, and reporting will cover funding, location and timescales. 6.3 All Network North schemes will be subject to the development and approval of business cases to ensure value for money consideration and will undergo formal governance in line with relevant fiscal and legal duties.