Recommendation 4

FCDO does not have all the data it needs to manage its estate effectively. FCDO has developed its central IT systems separately and they are not integrated with each other, or with systems at overseas posts. Overseas posts are responsible for collecting their own estate data, such as on building size and condition, but do not always have the resources or skills to do so. In 2023, FCDO reported that 85% of posts did not have a complete register of their estate assets. In 2023, FCDO recognised its £150 million estimate of its maintenance backlog was probably too low and commissioned surveys which found that the true backlog was actually £450 million. This was a one-off exercise, but FCDO has since trained 1,500 staff to improve data collection. Even if more data is collected, however, FCDO is currently unable to bring it together to give it an organisational view as data is spread out across different systems, individual spreadsheets and paper files. FCDO accepts that its digital systems are not up to scratch and require a thorough overhaul. FCDO is currently moving all of its estate data to a new integrated management system, but this will not be complete until 2028. recommendation Alongside its Treasury Minute response, FCDO should write to the Committee setting out the progress it has made: • ensuring that the collection of good quality estates data is embedded into the standard work of its overseas posts, including when it expects all its overseas posts to have a complete asset register that is updated regularly; • implementing its integrated data management system; and 4 • to ensure that it is using the latest digital technology to monitor and manage its estate, including actions it is taking related to this.