Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 29
29
Accepted
Single-year Bikeability funding jeopardises delivery and expansion, increasing programme costs.
Conclusion
Written evidence from Bikeability Trust told us that funding for the Bikeability Programme was provided through a multi-year settlement between 2016 and 2020, but since then funding had been provided in single year extensions often confirmed just before the start of the financial year. Bikeability Trust told us that there was a risk of under-delivery as a result of delays in confirming funding. Its written submission to us set out that 69,985 (20% of all) Level 1&2 and Level 2 places were at risk of not being delivered in 2022–23 as a result of funding not being announced until the end of the prior financial year. It estimated a multi-year settlement for the Bikeability Programme would provide a direct cashable saving of 2.8% of the Programme as well as increase the ability of the Programme to expand.72
Government Response Summary
The government accepted the recommendation, noting that ATE has already announced a 2-year, £50 million funding package for Bikeability until March 2025, providing funding certainty. ATE has also commissioned a review to improve programme efficiency.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
7.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 7.2 ATE announced a 2-year, £50 million funding package for Bikeability on 29 September 2023. This delivers the funding certainty it needs for the remainder of the current Spending Review period, i.e., until 31 March 2025. 7.3 Alongside this, ATE has commissioned a review of the Bikeability programme with the aim of increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of management arrangements. The review will focus on the systems used to allocate, monitor, and drive delivery of cycling training and associated support activities, including bench marking against other comparable training programmes.