Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 25
25
Not Addressed
ESN's expected productivity and cost benefits are unclear; commercial alternatives already adopted
Conclusion
Police were concerned that ESN may not prove any cheaper than commercial alternatives.83 We asked about operational benefits from access to data. The Department acknowledged that it no longer expected ESN to provide any productivity benefits.84 Police explained that almost all forces use mobile data via commercial tablets, laptops and smartphones, and the benefits from ESN enhancing these with priority access to data were not clear.85 The fire service said that its services were also using data and had already realised some of the benefits ESN was originally planned to bring. It also warned that, the longer these commercial services were used, the greater the risk that fire services would not agree to replace them with ESN.86 The ambulance service said that it had needed to redesign systems that were expected to connect to ESN to use commercial mobile connections instead, although it hoped ESN could be introduced in future.87
Government Response Summary
The government's response, which is identical to a response for another recommendation, does not address the committee's specific observations regarding concerns about ESN's cost, lack of productivity benefits, or the risk of emergency services not adopting it due to existing commercial alternatives.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
5.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: March 2024 5.2 The government agrees with the need to ensure there are clear responsibilities and plans in place for operating ESN when it goes live. 5.3 The department’s current contracts define the core elements of the live service model, including the roles of the key suppliers for User Services, Mobile Services, and other suppliers. 5.4 The User Services supplier will take on the role as ‘Service Integrator’ providing all user groups with a single ‘entry point’ for service and support. Following Motorola’s exit from the programme, the Department has updated the definition of the Service Integrator role based on experience to date. 5.5 The department has developed a new model for User Organisation billing, which will be implemented through the new User Services contract. 5.6 The Programme Manager will work with the Leadership team, users, suppliers and recently appointed Live Service Manager to complete definition and implementation of the overall Programme Operating model.