Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 8
8
Deferred
Identifying and contacting all high-risk individuals after data breach remains difficult.
Conclusion
We asked the Department how it obtained assurance that those put at the highest risk from the data breach were identified and contacted.14 The Department told us that it undertook a risk assessment almost immediately after the breach was discovered, to understand which individuals were at highest risk, what that risk was and what the Department could do to mitigate it.15 The Department said that this was a difficult exercise which took many months because of the way the data were stored in the spreadsheet. The Department told us that there are a “handful” of principal applicants whom it has not yet contacted. The Department said this was because identifying people in Afghanistan is not straightforward and that, once it had identified an individual, it was difficult to make contact because some of the contact details that the Department holds are out of date.16
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the recommendation but then details its work on animal vaccine availability and supply, including plans for a five-year multi-stakeholder Action Plan in late 2026, and efforts related to Bluetongue 3, avian influenza, and Bovine TB vaccines.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. vaccine availability outlines a strategic framework for cross-sector action. VMD is continuing cross-sector engagement to identify ways to improve supply and enable future innovation (involving government, pharmaceutical manufacturers, vet groups and broader animal health community). A five-year multi-stakeholder Action Plan will be published late 2026. Defra will work with VMD as the plan is developed. In parallel, mitigations for urgent availability issues are being identified and actioned. Action has already been taken to secure animal vaccine supply to the UK. For example, in 2024, Defra worked with manufacturers, industry and the VMD to expedite emergency use of a Bluetongue 3 vaccine and subsequently to manage supply challenges. Defra supported the joint industry-government avian influenza vaccine taskforce (the Taskforce) to look at the emerging use of HPAI vaccines. A report published by the Taskforce on 24 July 2025 provisionally recommends a future species-specific vaccination strategy, and a trial in turkeys. The Taskforce has committed to publish a subsequent report in Summer 2026. In relation to vaccine development work for Bovine TB, an application for approval of the Cattle BCG vaccine was made in September 2025 and is being assessed by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate according to published timelines. APHA continues work towards generation of data for the bovine TB cattle vaccine skin test which involves a commercial contract and tender exercise.