Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 15
15
Defra told us that historically the Department and its arm’s-length bodies developed their own IT...
Conclusion
Defra told us that historically the Department and its arm’s-length bodies developed their own IT systems, and these do not always interact easily with each other. Defra told us it had tried to bring these together centrally and that it had made some digital improvements, but it has a long way to go. The Environment Agency told us it has a centralised data and digital system that can share information with other environmental regulators, but it would benefit from Defra setting a clearer set of data standards and rules.37 In addition to addressing the digital legacy issues, Defra told us it is making more use of AI and cutting-edge technologies. It has launched around 20 AI pilots across the Defra group, intending to improve its communication channels with customers. For example, its application ‘AI4Peat’ uses satellite imagery to assist farmers and landowners in the renewal of peatland.38