Recommendation 17

In parallel with its work on address legacy IT systems, Defra told us it was embarking on a fundamental business transformation process, including potentially major structural changes to the Defra Group. Defra explained that this will include considering how it could reduce duplication across the Group.36 For example, it explained that across Defra Group, many bodies issued licenses and permits and there were 37 different IT applications that supported this. It explained that it thought that there was scope to consolidate its technology, processes and teams to create efficiency savings.37 31 Qq 20, 28–30, 51 32 Qq 17, 29; C&AG’s Report, para 2.5 33 Qq 28–29, 82 34 C&AG’s Report, paras 2.20–2.21 35 Q 78 36 Q 47 37 Q 80 14 Tackling Defra’s ageing digital services