Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 1
1
Accepted
Committee heard evidence on modernising Defra's ageing digital services from Defra and CDDO.
Conclusion
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Department for Food, Environment & Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Central Digital & Data Office (CDDO) at the Cabinet Office about modernising ageing digital services.1
Government Response Summary
Defra is preparing a report on lessons and success factors in addressing legacy IT and will share it with CDDO and other departments, followed by a knowledge-sharing session. Defra aims to provide evidence of this by November 2023.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. lessons and success factors behind the progress it has made in addressing legacy IT (for example, through its Legacy Applications Programme, as well as in its infrastructure estate and as part of Major Programme deliveries). Work on a report is underway and is part of Defra’s ongoing approach to continuous improvement, built into delivery of the relevant programmes. Defra will share this document with the Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO), who will arrange for it to be disseminated with other departments. Defra’s technology team will offer a knowledge sharing session to discuss these further with CDDO and other departments. Progress will also be tracked via Defra’s Quarterly Business Reviews with CDDO and HM Treasury, and best practice will be shared across government through the Chief Technology Officer Council. Defra will provide evidence of the above documentation and discussions to demonstrate closure of this recommendation by November 2023.