Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 22
22
Accepted
Our predecessor Committee highlighted the issues arising from a lack of standardisation and cooperation between...
Recommendation
Our predecessor Committee highlighted the issues arising from a lack of standardisation and cooperation between the 43 police forces in England and Wales. In the 2013 report on Police Procurement, it noted that despite some efforts by police forces to collaborate with each other, there remained an unacceptable variation in police forces’ approaches to procurement. We recommended that: “The Department should determine where the greatest benefits can be achieved through either standardisation or national procurement approaches and set a clear timeframe for forces to come to agreement on these. Where forces fail to reach an agreement, the Department should be prepared to enforce standard specifications”.33 In response, the Department accepted our recommendation and committed to identifying and engaging with forces on areas where a national procurement approach or standard specifications could be appropriate and help it achieve savings.34
Government Response Summary
The Department and the NPCC will identify and pursue other opportunities for standardisation across policing (for example procurement and IT), led by a review of operational productivity, with findings expected in Spring 2023 and a final report within 12 months; the Home Office is also working with various entities to identify further efficiencies and coordination across procurement and to understand different operating models for corporate functions.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
2. PAC conclusion: The Programme has demonstrated the value of standardising recruitment practices across police forces 2. PAC recommendation: The Department and the NPCC should identify and pursue other opportunities for standardisation across policing (for example procurement and IT) to achieve better value for money while respecting operational autonomy. It should outline in its Treasury Minute response which other areas of policing have the potential to benefit from a more joined up approach across forces, and how and by when this could be achieved. 2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Autumn 2023 2.2 The Home Secretary has asked the National Police Chiefs’ Council to lead a review of operational productivity in policing. This review will improve the department’s understanding of effectiveness and productivity in policing, identifying the barriers and the most efficient operating models. 2.3 The review will also look at the scope for using new technology or streamlining processes and removing bureaucracy to drive efficiency and better outcomes. 2.4 The review will be led by Sir Stephen House, supported by an advisory board including Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), the chief executive of the College of Policing and Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC). Terms of reference will be published in due course, following agreement by the advisory board and Home Office. It is expected to report within 12 months and with interim findings in spring 2023. 2.5 The Home Office is working with BlueLight Commercial Ltd, the Police Digital Service, and Forensic Capabilities Network to identify further opportunities for efficiencies and coordination across procurement. 2.6 BlueLight Commercial are also working with the department to understand the different operating models used to provide corporate functions such as HR and finance across police forces, and the associated costs. A final report is due to be delivered to the Efficiency in Policing Board by the end of 2022, aiming to share good practice and identify opportunities for shared services and other collaboration across the sector.