Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 16
16
The Department claimed it has fulfilled previous Committee recommendations, albeit that it accepted that some...
Conclusion
The Department claimed it has fulfilled previous Committee recommendations, albeit that it accepted that some improvements were on-going.42 The National Audit Office has found that the Department has made improvements to its analysis and reporting, for example improving the presentation and transparency of its Equipment Plan report.43 However, the Department could not demonstrate that its quality assurance work had ensured that the Plan was based on consistent and fully documented data and assumptions. In addition, the Department found errors in its 2017–2027, 2018–2028 and 2019–2029 reports after publication.44 38 C&AG’s report, para 2.13 39 C&AG’s report, para 18 40 Qq 84, 92 41 Q 90 42 Q 9 43 C&AG’s report, para 2.16 44 C&AG’s report, para 18 Defence Equipment Plan 2020–2030 13 2 Managing the funding shortfalls Re-balancing the equipment programme
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
6. 1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: March 2023 6.2 Strengthening the financial capabilities within the department is a key part of the department’s Finance Functional Leadership Programme. The department will be delivering professional training for level 3, 4 and 7 apprenticeships for staff currently within the finance function. In addition, the department has in place a Finance Skills Certificate for finance function staff. For the senior civil service and military equivalents, the Defence Strategic Finance Programme is available, for which prior completion of the Finance Skills Certificate is mandated. The department is also in the process of developing finance training for budget holders. 6.3 As part of the design of the finance service delivery model, professional qualifications are recommended for those roles that require it and this will form part of the recruitment process when posts become vacant. It takes time to both train and recruit professionally qualified staff, but numbers will increase over time. 6.4 As part of the same programme, the department is also looking to increase capacity by introducing a standardised service delivery model; simplifying and standardising processes and exploiting the use of corporate systems. 6.5 The department is developing a centralised pool of guidance and resources to support analysts across defence which will be ready in Summer 2021. The department’s Analysis Function runs a Quality Assurance Working Group to enable best practice to be shared more widely and increase knowledge of the department's business critical models. 6.6 The department’s Cost Assurance and Analysis Service (CAAS) has developed training and advice in modelling and quality assurance which it provides across defence.