Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 19
19
Accepted
Critical ESN testing at scale lacks sufficient devices and dual-mode functionality
Conclusion
The Independent Assurance Panel agreed that testing at scale is crucial, including at real-world events such as the coronation and Notting Hill Carnival.61 We asked the Department about its previous attempts at testing parts of ESN. The Department said it had needed to be re-run some tests three times, but had not allowed the time to do so, which had caused delays.62 When asked about providing devices for testing, the Department acknowledged that only a small number of devices had ever been provided. It committed to getting preliminary devices in ‘as many hands’ as it could over the next 18 months. It also said it would listen to user feedback, so that ESN would work at ‘3 am, 49 Qq 7, 55 (26 April) 50 Q 13, 54 (26 April) 51 Qq 6, 55, 56 (26 April) 52 C&AG’s Report, para 16 53 Q 60 (26 April) 54 Q 59 (26 April) 55 Q 62 (26 April) 56 Qq 19, 41–42 (27 March) 57 Qq 45, 46 (27 March) 58 Qq 3, 4 (26 April) 59 Qq 10, 11 (26 April) 60 Qq 1, 60–61 (26 April) 61 Q 14 (26 April) 62 Q 77 (27 March) The Emergency Services Network 13 in the dark, in the rain, with gloves on.’63 It now expects the replacement for Motorola to provide these devices, and hopes these will be off-the-shelf handsets.64 However, the NPCC considers a radio-style device is a core requirement for frontline police, ideally with the ability to work with both ESN and Airwave to reduce the risk and complexity of a future transition.65 The Department said it would consider dual-mode devices if they were not too expensive.66
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and has drafted an outline ESMCP control plan, which includes prototyping and real-world testing, with a target date of end December 2023 for agreement after user consultation. A full Programme Plan and business case will follow in 2024 after a new supplier is confirmed.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
3.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: end December 2023 3.2 The department has drafted an outline plan, the ESMCP control plan. 3.3 The control plan shows the main building blocks, dependencies and sequencing, and includes elapsed time contingency. The control plan includes all elements of prototyping, and testing (including real-world testing), as well as the activities leading to user transition and Airwave shutdown. The durations of all phases that affect users (for example, formal ‘service acceptance’ and transition from Airwave) have been agreed with users. The control plan is now out for consultation with users, and it will be agreed before the end of 2023. The control plan will be turned into a full Programme Plan after the new User Services supplier is confirmed, and their delivery plan is known. In 2024, the programme will return to the Major Projects Review group with a business case, budget and clear plan, prior to the award of the User Services contract.