Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 12
12
We have repeatedly highlighted longstanding issues with the quality of data held by government and...
Conclusion
We have repeatedly highlighted longstanding issues with the quality of data held by government and with its ability to use data effectively to support policy interventions. In our 2019 report Challenges in using data across government, we noted the lack of government-wide data standards, ageing IT systems, fragmented leadership, and a culture that does not support sharing data across departmental boundaries.26 In its response, the government agreed to appoint a Chief Data Officer who would act as a single point of accountability for government’s use of data and agreed on the importance of winning the hearts and minds of departments to ensure good data use. It also agreed to identify the main data standards that would benefit government and the main ageing IT systems that, if fixed, would allow government to use data better and to review departments’ data- sharing guidance.27 At the evidence session, the Cabinet Office told us that investing in data and dealing with legacy IT issues was high on the government’s priority list and that it has a programme of work over the next three years to move old systems on to new, modern, easy-to-use, cloud-based systems.28
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
2: PAC conclusion: Government’s ability to make well-informed decisions and address issues as they arise during the pandemic has been hampered by slow progress in addressing longstanding issues with data and legacy IT. 2a: PAC recommendation: HM Treasury and the Cabinet Office should write to us by 31 October 2021 setting out how they plan to reflect the need to address data and IT issues when prioritising bids for the next spending review. 2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 2.2 During this Spending Review, experts within the Central Digital and Data Office (part of the Cabinet Office) have worked with HM Treasury on a Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) bid assurance process. As part of this process, the Cabinet Office provided expert advice to HM Treasury on departmental bids with significant DDaT elements. Advice encompassed factors such as alignment to strategic priorities across the DDaT function as well as the feasibility of the bids. 2.3 This advice was provided in accordance with a standardised and agreed assessment framework shaped around critical digital and data priorities and took into consideration requirements around topics such as legacy IT, cyber security and automation. This specialist advice has helped to ensure critical priorities are funded. 2.4 This advice went into the Spending Round outcomes which made substantial provision for Digital Data & Technology, as set out in the Chancellor’s statement on 27 October and accompanying documentation, and with the additional detail being provided to the Treasury Select Committee this week. HMT departmental settlement conditions will reinforce priorities, and departmental performance will continue to be monitored through CDDO’s Quarterly Business Reviews.