We have repeatedly urged the Department to take the difficult investment decisions needed to develop a balanced investment programme, highlighting missed opportunities to address fundamental weaknesses in its management of the Equipment Plan.48 The Department acknowledged that the lack of certainty over long-term funding had prevented it from taking strategic decisions to address the structural imbalance in the Plan. The Spending Review settlement, announced in November 2020, now gives the De...

We have repeatedly urged the Department to take the difficult investment decisions needed to develop a balanced investment programme, highlighting missed opportunities to address fundamental weaknesses in its management of the Equipment Plan.48 The Department acknowledged that the lack of certainty over long-term funding had prevented it from taking strategic decisions to address the structural imbalance in the Plan. The Spending Review settlement, announced in November 2020, now gives the Department more certainty of funding over a longer planning horizon and, for the first time in many years, provides it with the opportunity to take strateg Type: conclusion | Number: 18 | Response status: under_consideration Government response: 3.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Autumn 2021 3.2 Alongside the Equipment Plan 2021, the department will write to the Committee, outlining the key principles that will guide future investment decision