The NAO reported that the Department’s digital strategy was initially not fully funded, but the Department worked to identify ways to fund the strategy as well as reprioritise money to ensure that, as of its last budgeting cycle, it considered its strategy affordable.55 We put it to the Department that the impact of rising inflation means it can afford less with its existing budget. The Department explained that it was seeing cost pressures on pay settlements and raw materials both internally...

The NAO reported that the Department’s digital strategy was initially not fully funded, but the Department worked to identify ways to fund the strategy as well as reprioritise money to ensure that, as of its last budgeting cycle, it considered its strategy affordable.55 We put it to the Department that the impact of rising inflation means it can afford less with its existing budget. The Department explained that it was seeing cost pressures on pay settlements and raw materials both internally and in industry. As a result, it will be difficult to do all of its planned activity for the next financial year in full.56 However, the Department felt Type: conclusion | Number: 18 | Response status: not_addressed Government response: 5. PAC conclusion: The department’s budget is under considerable pressure, and this may make some planned, future digital activity unaffordable. 5. PAC recommendation: Following the next update to the Integrated Review, the department should write to us explainin