Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 9
9
Accepted
Defra shows progress tackling urgent legacy systems, prioritising high-risk applications for stabilisation.
Recommendation
Defra had made progress in tackling its most urgent legacy systems. The NAO found that it had addressed the most pressing issues, prioritising work on applications that need to be stabilised in the short-term. Defra had taken a formal approach to prioritising its work and focussed on riskiest systems first. It established a digital prioritisation board, 7 C&AG’s Report, paras 17, 2.15 8 Qq 28, 72 9 Qq 28–29 10 Q 35 11 Qq 77, 83 12 Q 31; C&AG’s Report, para 1.8 13 Qq 74–75 Tackling Defra’s ageing digital services 11 made of up Defra’s senior leaders and representatives from its main arm’s-length bodies. This board identified 109 projects that it will fund with the £366 million it received in the 2021 Spending Review to address all areas of digital legacy.14
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation, committing Defra to share a report on its legacy IT success factors with CDDO and other departments by November 2023, including a knowledge sharing session.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
1. PAC conclusion: Defra has made good progress in tackling its most urgent legacy issues, though the majority of its applications are still not fully supported. 1. PAC recommendation: Defra should, within six months, identify the success factors behind the progress it has made in addressing issues within its legacy IT, and share lessons with CDDO and other departments. 1.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: November 2023 1.2 The Department for Environment, Farming & Rural Affairs (Defra) will share the key 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. 1.3 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. 1.4 Defra will provide evidence of the above documentation and discussions to demonstrate closure of this recommendation by November 2023.