Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 12
12
Not Addressed
UKHSA's complexity compounded by changing remit and significant workforce reduction post-pandemic strategy.
Conclusion
The complexity was compounded by the changing remit for UKHSA and by policy decisions which had significant implications for UKHSA’s size and structure. For example, in March 2022 with the implementation of the ‘living with covid’ strategy, UKHSA began a restructure which resulted in it decreasing its workforce from 18,000 to 6,700 full-time equivalents.
Government Response Summary
The government's response focuses on UKHSA's corporate governance and oversight, rather than directly addressing the observed complexities stemming from its changing remit and restructuring outlined in this conclusion.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
3.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 3.2 On 1 April 2021, the government announced the establishment of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) as this country’s permanent standing capacity to prepare for, prevent and respond to threats to health. From 1 October 2021, the department and the newly formed UKHSA prioritised significant efforts on the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The operational focus in winter 2021-22 was the response to the Omicron variant and then the implementation of the Living with Covid Strategy from February 2022. 3.3 As a new organisation, the Chair and CEO of UKHSA were centred on the need for effective governance from UKHSA’s inception. Once the non-executive member recruitment which started in spring 2021 was completed in April 2022, UKHSA swiftly moved to establishing a fully functioning suite of corporate governance, including the advisory board, and holding four distinct committee meetings by September 2022. The Audit and Risk Committee appointed in April 2023 a non-executive as Chair who is a qualified accountant, with the department chairing the appointing panel and facilitating the approvals process. 3.4 The Chair and CEO engaged the Government Internal Audit Agency (GIAA) to assist in a review of the corporate governance, which was completed in May 2022. This helped identify detailed actions to improve the governance framework from the advisory board through the executive line. These were completed by March 2023, which a follow-up GIAA audit confirmed. The department contributed to GIAA’s review and met regularly with UKHSA to support progress and commissioned a GIAA review of sponsorship to better support and oversee UKHSA. UKHSA and the department continue to work closely to further strengthen governance arrangements.