Maintaining assets at the required condition needs funding: in preparing for the 2021 Spending Review, the Agency estimated it needed funding of £235 million a year to keep 98% of its assets at their required condition. Defra decided not to fund the Agency to maintain assets to 98%, instead it set the Agency’s maintenance funding at £201 million which should have allowed it to maintain 94.5% of these assets at required condition.12 The Agency told us it prioritises maintenance of assets based...

Maintaining assets at the required condition needs funding: in preparing for the 2021 Spending Review, the Agency estimated it needed funding of £235 million a year to keep 98% of its assets at their required condition. Defra decided not to fund the Agency to maintain assets to 98%, instead it set the Agency’s maintenance funding at £201 million which should have allowed it to maintain 94.5% of these assets at required condition.12 The Agency told us it prioritises maintenance of assets based on those which are most risk for the public or those which are more critical.13 Type: conclusion | Number: 9 | Response status: not_addressed Government response: 3.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Spring 2025 3.2 The Agency is working on improved evidence to help identify the optimal balance of capital and maintenance in order to maximise value for money. The department agreed with HM Treasury to move £