Source · National Audit Office

Rail reform: the rail transformation programme

Published: 8 Mar 2024 Recommendations: 4 Type: Value for Money NAO confirmed: 4 Department: Department for Transport

The reforms set out in government’s rail transformation plans are facing delays, and there remain long-standing issues with the rail sector that need to be addressed, such as its financial sustainability and service to passengers.

Dept: Department for Transport Topics: RailTransport nao.org.uk →

Recommendations

4 items

4 accepted 3 implemented 1 in progress

Rec	Recommendation	Addressee	Acceptance	Implementation
1	Over the next year, DfT should develop its understanding of how it can successfully deliver rail reform, including any potential pilots it could undertake, so that it is well placed to advise ministers early in the next Parliament. This work should include areas such as: ? conducting a lessons learned exercise from its planning and delivery of rail reform to date; and ? drawing on lessons from other programmes, including those set out in our lessons learned reports on major programmes. Ref Page 11, a · Implemented Q3 2024-25	Department for Transport	Accepted	Implemented ✓ NAO
2	DfT and GBRTT should work closely with the rail sector to continue building culture change and support a ?whole systems? approach to the rail sector ahead of any legislative changes Ref Page 11, b · Implemented Q3 2024-25	Department for Transport	Accepted	Implemented ✓ NAO
3	After the current interim work, and when DfT comes to fully resetting rail reform in the future, it should ensure it: ? has secured full commitment across government for its ambitions for rail reform; ? has agreed its scope and overall delivery approach with key stakeholders; ? has in place a full delivery plan, including a realistic timetable, clarity about the benefits it will deliver and how it will deliver them, and the skills and capacity it and GBRTT require to support the programme. HM Treasury should also satisfy itself that delivery is achievable before linking it to any future spending review settlements, taking into account the level of delivery risk it will accept when setting stretching savings targets; ? clearly communicates its delivery plan for wider stakeholders in the rail sector; and ? assesses the progress made in improving the roles and responsibilities and wider joint working culture between bodies, and establishes delivery and governance arrangements that build on what has been successful and that will support the scale of the programme Ref Page 11, c · Implemented Q3 2026-27	Department for Transport	Accepted	In progress ✓ NAO
4	If DfT aims to deliver reform at speed in the future, it should fully assess the benefits of this approach and the risks to implementation and ensure there are contingencies in place. In making decisions about whether to proceed at pace, it should draw on the lessons highlighted in our work on delivering programmes at speed Ref Page 11, d · Implemented Q3 2024-25	Department for Transport	Accepted	Implemented ✓ NAO

Public Accounts Committee follow-up

1 report

The Public Accounts Committee examined this NAO report and published its own recommendations. The government responds to PAC recommendations via Treasury Minutes.

27 May 2024 Public Accounts C… Thirty-Eighth Report - Rail reform: The rail transformation programme — 18 recommendations · parliament.uk