Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 33
33
The Permanent Secretary insisted that progress is being made on changing behaviour and culture, but...
Conclusion
The Permanent Secretary insisted that progress is being made on changing behaviour and culture, but admitted that such changes “are not quick”. He also said that reducing the level of bullying, harassment and discrimination within the Department is a matter of personal priority for him. This is encouraging but he undoubtedly faces an uphill task.68 62 Q136 63 Q140 64 Q143 65 Q152 66 NAO report, paragraph 3.22 67 NAO report, paragraph 3.21 68 Q152 Ministry of Defence Equipment Plan 2021–31 17
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
6.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Autumn 2022 6.2 The department monitors progress of National Audit Office’s (NAO’s) Value for Money recommendations including Equipment Plan report recommendations. The status of the recommendations is reviewed annually. A summary of progress made on NAO and PAC recommendations is provided to the department’s Audit Assurance and Risk Committee (DARAC) on a quarterly basis. The department provided an update on the Equipment Plan PAC recommendations through refreshed Treasury Minutes published on 9 June 2022. One recommendation remains in progress under the Defence Equipment Plan 2020. 6.3 The department’s Acquisition Reform agenda includes work to promote critical acquisition behaviours and culture. This includes a ‘one team’ approach encouraging greater transparency on performance across organisational boundaries; applying judgement to tailor approaches based on ‘appropriate risk’ in support of timely evidence-based decisions; and embedding a ‘learning culture’. 6.4 Significant progress has been made in the use of management information, with data dashboards providing a single version of the truth being shared widely. 6.5 The department is forging closer links with industry through the Supplier Partnering Programme, to improve schedule alignment, risk and dependency management and management information sharing. 6.6 Further detail of progress with the recommendations and how this translates to changes to the plan will be provided as requested in the Autumn.