Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 19
19
Accepted
Cabinet Office maintains tight control over UKSV headcount and major programme spending.
Conclusion
The Cabinet Office took on responsibility for both security vetting policy and operational delivery in April 2020, when UKSV transitioned from the Ministry of Defence to the Government Security Group within the Cabinet Office.47 The Cabinet Office controls UKSV’s headcount, and while UKSV’s funding costs (around £43 million per year) are covered by its customers, it nonetheless requires spending approval from the Cabinet Office Approvals Board (COAB) for any programme spend over £500,000.48 In January 2021, the Cabinet Office appointed a chief executive to run UKSV, who reports to the government chief security officer. Other than COAB, UKSV is also accountable to the Government Security Board, the Vetting Board, and the Vetting Modernisation Portfolio Board for its operations and programmes.49
Government Response Summary
The government has completed an independent governance review and commenced implementing an enhanced UKSV governance structure, which will ensure full representation of Cabinet Office functions and customers, clear distinctions in policy/delivery, and strengthened oversight.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
5.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 5.2 An independent governance review has now been completed. The review endorsed the Committee’s findings, and UKSV will now implement an enhanced governance structure that addresses the observations made by the Committee, National Audit Office and the independent governance review. 5.3 This includes: • ensuring Cabinet Office corporate functions are fully represented within the UKSV governance structures; • ensuring UKSV customers are represented at both a senior and practitioner level within the structure; • clear distinctions are drawn between policy approval and the management of vetting delivery performance; and • strengthening support for oversight of vetting transformation. 5.4 Implementation commenced in June 2023 following the relevant approvals from the Government Chief Security Officer and Cabinet Office Corporate Services.