Spending round 2013 : third report of session 2013-14, Vol. 1: Report, together with formal minutes, oral evidence

It has been put that coalition politics has encouraged a more formal process in the Spending Round.

Whether true or not, the fact that the Spending Round was concluded without delay or apparent acrimony is noteworthy in view of the scale of the challenge, which is unprecedented.

Concern remains about the ring-fencing as it places the full burden of financial stringency on non ring-fenced departments.

Ring-fenced departments may be subject to less financial discipline and scrutiny than non ring-fenced departments and there is a risk that ring-fencing distorts the allocation of resources between Government priorities.

There is also no public interest in pre-releasing Budget and Autumn Statement information, whether Ministers classify it as 'core' information or not.

The Government has yet to allay the Committee's concerns about the Help to Buy mortgage guarantee scheme.

The Government needs to clarify whether anything has been added by the recent announcement to the FPC's existing power to make recommendations to the Treasury.

The political pressure to extend the scheme could be immense.

It is therefore all the more important that the FPC's role be clarified as soon as possible. A more convincing economic case for the High Speed 2 project is also needed. We need reassurance that it can deliver the benefits intended and that these benefits are greater than those of other transport schemes - whether in the department's project pipeline or not - which may be foregone.

The Bill should not proceed until this work has been done and the project has been formally reassessed by the Government.