Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 25
25
Accepted
The Department stated that its Programme Business Case had set out a number of options...
Recommendation
The Department stated that its Programme Business Case had set out a number of options about the size and number of laboratories and the level of containment. Both the Department and the APHA said that they saw ACDP level four capability as important in underpinning the UK’s animal disease resilience. The APHA stated that there are always choices as you go through the process of agreeing funding and these will determine the level of risk and capability of the UK to manage animal diseases.47 The Department stated that any changes in the scope of the redevelopment programme would need to be made by 2024 in advance of work on commercial contracts commencing.48
Government Response Summary
The government agrees to work with HM Treasury to establish a more certain funding position for the Weybridge redevelopment program and will refine its understanding of the costs and benefits, required by Summer 2024, and allocated £198 million for preparatory work, with a target implementation date of Summer 2024.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
4. PAC conclusion: It is not yet certain that there will be sufficient investment in developing the Weybridge site capacity to ensure the UK’s long-term resilience to animal diseases. 4. PAC recommendation: The Department needs to work with HM Treasury to establish a more certain funding position for the Weybridge redevelopment programme. In doing this, the Department will need to improve its understanding of the benefits of the programme to support the investment case. In addition to its Treasury Minute response, the Department should provide the Committee with a further update on the status of Weybridge’s funding shortfall by Summer 2023. 4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Summer 2024 4.2 The department will continue work across the first tranche of the programme (through to 2024-25) to refine its understanding of the costs and benefits, which will feed into the main investment decision for the redevelopment of the site, required in summer 2024, ahead of the main build phase for Science Capability for Animal Health Programme (SCAH). It will update the Committee via Treasury Minutes on progress. In the meantime, £198 million has been allocated over the current Spending Review 2021, to enable preparatory work to progress on site.