Recommendations & Conclusions
5 items
4
Conclusion
54th Report - Afghanistan Response Route
Deferred
The Department failed in its responsibility to enable effective scrutiny by the Public Accounts Committee and the National Audit Office. Ministers decided who should be informed about, or ‘read in to’, the super- injunction, balancing the need to know against further increasing the risk to the lives of those affected. …
Government response. The government's response is irrelevant, discussing BBC Studios' content production and intellectual property targets, and completely fails to address the recommendation regarding information sharing with the Committee and Comptroller and Auditor General on super-injunctions or new guidance from the Treasury.
HM Treasury
6
Conclusion
54th Report - Afghanistan Response Route
Deferred
We received a written submission from the Treasury Officer of Accounts at HM Treasury (the Treasury). This letter, which is published on the Committee’s inquiry page, set out:10 • the Treasury’s understanding of the reporting rules and expectations related to spending following the Afghan data protection breach and in relation …
Government response. The government's response is irrelevant, discussing the BBC's 'Across the UK programme' and content commissioning, and completely fails to address the conclusion regarding the Treasury Officer of Accounts' submission on reporting rules and guidance for the Public Accounts Committee and …
HM Treasury
7
Conclusion
54th Report - Afghanistan Response Route
Deferred
At the end of July 2025, the Department estimated that it would resettle 7,355 people through the ARR scheme as a direct result of the February 2022 data breach. This included 1,531 ‘principals’ (initial applicants) 6 C&AG’s Report, para 8 7 C&AG’s Report, para 22 8 C&AG’s Report, paras 9, …
Government response. The government agrees with the recommendation but then provides a response entirely focused on measures to tackle illegal meat imports, including stepping up communications, developing a strategic approach with Dover Port Health Authority, and considering increased funding for them.
HM Treasury
8
Conclusion
54th Report - Afghanistan Response Route
Deferred
We asked the Department how it obtained assurance that those put at the highest risk from the data breach were identified and contacted.14 The Department told us that it undertook a risk assessment almost immediately after the breach was discovered, to understand which individuals were at highest risk, what that …
Government response. The government agrees with the recommendation but then details its work on animal vaccine availability and supply, including plans for a five-year multi-stakeholder Action Plan in late 2026, and efforts related to Bluetongue 3, avian influenza, and Bovine TB vaccines.
HM Treasury
9
Conclusion
54th Report - Afghanistan Response Route
Deferred
We asked the Department how confident it was that it would be able to resettle all those individuals, and how long it would take. The Department said that the estimate of 7,355 was a “maximalist projection” because it expected that around 80% of eligible principals would take up the offer …
Government response. The government agrees with the recommendation but then provides details about ongoing work related to a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement with the EU, strengthening animal disease resilience, and integrating various biosecurity and veterinary strategies.
HM Treasury