Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 19
19
Accepted
The DVLA told us how it undertakes work for other parts of government to make...
Recommendation
The DVLA told us how it undertakes work for other parts of government to make best use of the DVLA’s infrastructure, expertise and the spare capacity becoming available as customers switch from paper to online applications. For example, it produces biometric residency permits for the Home Office, and it printed and mailed out vaccination invitation letters in its secure printing and mailing facility. The DVLA also wrote to us after the evidence session and told us that this work used spare capacity in its printing and mailing facilities and provided value for money for taxpayers. Its annual report and accounts show it carried out work for other government departments worth £22 million in 2021–22, compared with £15 million in 2020–21, £12 million in 2019–20 and £9 million in 2018–19.40 Notifications from drivers of relevant medical conditions
Government Response Summary
The Department states that it works closely with the DVLA to ensure that taking on work for other government departments has no negative consequences on the DVLA's core purpose.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
4. PAC conclusion: The DVLA gave insufficient attention to those driving licence service areas, such as medical notifications and its call centre, where staffing challenges led to the most detrimental consequences for customers 4c. PAC recommendation: The Department should ensure it understands the impact of the DVLA taking on work for other government departments and ensure there are mitigations in place to address any negative consequences for the DVLA’s core purpose. 4.5 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation Recommendation implemented 4.6 The DVLA prioritises its core functions while using its systems and equipment to help other government departments deliver their targets where feasible. This remains a sensible and practical approach which provides value for money for government and the taxpayer. 4.7 The department is mindful of the impact taking on work for other government departments might have on the DVLA, outside of its core functions as detailed above, and works closely with the DVLA to ensure there are no negative consequences on its core purpose.