3.8 The Government will strengthen the mandate of Infrastructure UK (IUK) and increase its commercial expertise to boost the delivery of growth enhancing infrastructure projects across Government. As part of this new role, IUK, together with an enhanced Major Projects Authority, will undertake a detailed assessment of Whitehall's ability to deliver infrastructure, building on their existing work. This assessment will be completed by Budget 2013. To ensure the assessment is as thorough as possible, it will be led by Paul Deighton as his first duty as Commercial Secretary to the Treasury working closely with the Minister for the Cabinet Office and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
3.9 The Cabinet Office is also introducing a number of reforms to address shortcomings in broader commercial skills across Government. A five year capabilities plan for the whole of Civil Service3 will identify which skills and capabilities are in deficit and how these gaps will be filled. The Government's Infrastructure Procurement Routemap, due to be published early next year, will also provide guidance to help ensure the right procurement route is adopted and any public sector capability gaps are identified and addressed.
3.10 The Major Projects Leadership Academy (MPLA) has also recently been established to train senior leaders, developing their leadership ability, technical delivery skills, commercial capability and overall ability to deliver major projects. In future only project leaders who have successfully completed the MPLA intensive development programme will be able to lead a major government project.
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3 The Cabinet Office (2012) Civil Service Reform Plan