Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 21
21
The Department’s ambitions for the border as a whole and delivery of practical improvements for...
Conclusion
The Department’s ambitions for the border as a whole and delivery of practical improvements for users require timely delivery of all elements of the new DSAB systems, 33 Qq 58, 59, 85 34 Qq 85,88, 106 35 Q 88 36 Qq 62, 64 37 Q 54 38 Q 56 39 Q 25 40 Qq 24, 25 14 Digital Services at the Border as well as effective interdependencies with systems from other programmes.41 The Department noted the importance of re-platforming Semaphore to allow that system to continue operating. Some of the technology originally developed for DSAB is also being taken forward by the Data Futures programme. The Department expects the key part of the Data Futures programme associated with the original DSAB scope to deliver in 2022–23.42 The Department also needs to integrate the Border Crossing system with e-gates, in order to check passengers using those gates against the new system, as well as upgrade infrastructure including network connections at ports to enable these systems to operate effectively.43
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
6: PAC conclusion: The Department’s ambitions for the border and its delivery of practical improvements for users depend upon it coordinating the implementation of the Digital Services at the Border programme with the delivery of several related projects. 6a: PAC recommendation: The Department should set out progress against planned milestones for related programmes, any impacts on frontline Border Force staff, people using border services and what it is doing to mitigate these impacts 6.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 6.2 Progress against planned milestones is set against a managed set of dependencies which have been captured and are tracked and reviewed within the programme and wider portfolio. As part of this 2 2 process, any impacts would be mitigated and would form part of feedback process via the business change team to the frontline and back, ensuring all changes are embedded effectively and efficiently for go-live of the system. 6.3 Border Force staff will experience no degradation of frontline capability, and it will add more functionality and improve the operability beyond what was originally envisaged. Passengers using border services will receive an improved journey experience through the UK primary check points, but there will be no physical change. 6.4 The department provides updates to the Border Immigration and Citizenship Systems (BICS) Transformation board as to progress against milestones to align with related programmes. 6.5 Digitising the Border (DtB) (permission to travel systems) within the Future Borders and Immigration System (FBIS), Cerberus (watchlisting and intelligence) and eGates (connection with Border Crossing), all related programmes all attend the department’s programme board, have access to published plans and can confidently and openly challenge progress of milestones against delivery plans and track resolution activity. None have reported delays or detrimental impacts to their milestones in relation to delivery activity, and all are progressing against their own milestones.