Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 10
10
Acknowledged
ESN delays create additional Airwave costs and uncertainty for emergency services
Conclusion
The emergency services contribute, alongside funding from the Department, the Department of Health & Social Care and the Scottish and Welsh governments, to the cost of ESN. Delays to ESN meant the Department itself has spent less than it expected on ESN.28 But emergency services have had to pay for additional Airwave devices as a result of the delays.29 The Department did not know how long Airwave devices would now need to last, saying only it was working to give emergency services a “rough idea”.30 Given that Airwave handsets last 10 years, radios bought after the previous reset in 2018 will be obsolete in 2028 and may need replacing again before ESN is ready.31 The ambulance service told us that it was now unsure whether to start replacing its Airwave terminals, and while the fire service had delayed buying new control rooms it agreed that it was ‘unhelpful for the sector’ not to know when ESN was going to be ready.32
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's observations, stating that if a CMA decision is upheld, there may be scope to reduce Airwave costs for users, and the department will engage to determine support for transition. However, central financial support is limited, and the ESMCP is reviewing the business case to reflect the CMA ruling and new suppliers.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: end December 2023 2.2 If the CMA decision is upheld following appeal, and the charge control comes into effect, there will be scope to reduce local costs for users of the Airwave service and the department will continue to engage with users to determine how best to support user organisations with transition activities. 2.3 Scope for central support is limited by the way government funds are allocated across departments, policy areas and programmes. This will constrain the ability to pass the charge control savings directly onto users. 2.4 The reduced costs of Airwave will result in an overall government saving, rather than a department or programme gain. Funding decisions beyond the financial year 2024/25 are subject to future HM Treasury spending reviews based on the programme’s approved business case. 2.5 The ESMCP is reviewing the business case to reflect the CMA ruling to impose a charge control and procurement of new suppliers. Users are expected to realise savings from reduced Airwave costs. Delayed spend on ESN devices will offset the cost of new Airwave devices. The programme business case includes agreed principles that govern how costs are allocated centrally or to user groups. These principles can be varied only with agreement from all users and funding sponsor bodies. 2.6 The programme is engaging closely with user organisations to provide support for their transition activities, while operating in accordance with Home Office and HMG governance and funding structures.