We have previously expressed concern about a lack of evidence and transparency to justify scheme selection in other parts of government.67 In our 2020 report on the Towns Fund, we found that the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government was not open about the process it followed and did not disclose reasons for selecting or excluding particular towns. This lack of transparency fuelled accusations of political bias in the selection process.68 In our 2022 report on local economic gr...

We have previously expressed concern about a lack of evidence and transparency to justify scheme selection in other parts of government.67 In our 2020 report on the Towns Fund, we found that the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government was not open about the process it followed and did not disclose reasons for selecting or excluding particular towns. This lack of transparency fuelled accusations of political bias in the selection process.68 In our 2022 report on local economic growth, we found that the 61 C&AG’s Report, paras 1.8 and 2.7, Figure 5 62 C&AG’s Report, para 1.10 63 C&AG’s Report para 1.9 64 C&AG’s Report, paras 9, 1. Type: conclusion | Number: 30 | Response status: accepted Government response: 2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 2.2 The department accepts that there was an omission in record keeping around the final selection of schemes that would be included in the Health Infrastructure Plan in 2019. Ho