Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 11
11
Accepted
Repeated deferrals of Developed Vetting renewals created backlogs and acknowledged security risks.
Conclusion
Each DV clearance is normally reviewed after seven years to ensure that individuals’ circumstances have not materially changed and that the initial clearance remains valid. In 2018 the Cabinet Office Government Security Board first took the decision to implement a 12-month extension to some renewals to help UKSV recover performance at that time. It repeated the decision in 2019, and then again in April 2020 to help cope with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on operations. In 2021–22, however, all DV renewals that had previously been extended came back up for renewal and were not extended again, meaning that a backlog of cases needed processing.26 In April 2022, the Government Security Steering Group directed UKSV to extend renewals again to focus on reducing the backlog of new DV clearances that had developed. The NAO reported that both UKSV and its customers acknowledge that another extension of renewals carries security risks that are uncomfortable.27
Government Response Summary
The government plans to stabilise the DV renewal service line by March 2024, supported by a significant injection of surge resources for the current financial year to clear the backlog and ensure continuity of service on other products.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
3.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: March 2024 3.2 UKSV is planning for the DV renewal service line to be stabilised by the end of March 2024 and performance sustained thereafter. As set out above, in response to recommendation 1, ministers have agreed a significant injection of surge resources into UKSV for this financial year including HMRC Surge personnel and operational staff. These staff will enable UKSV to address the backlog before reverting to Business-as-Usual staffing. The surge of resources, and the sequencing of efforts (as set out above) are designed to ensure continuity of service on other products while the backlog is addressed.