Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 18
18
Accepted
APHA's outdated paper-based systems and processes cause significant inefficiency and delays.
Recommendation
APHA acknowledged that its systems and processes are outdated and require modernisation. For example, its vets in the field must complete paper-based forms, which are scanned and manually deciphered before being added to a database. APHA also cited the example of having 36 different email addresses through which people can contact APHA. This causes inefficiency, slower responses and increases the risk of error. APHA said that work to modernise its systems had been delayed by the need to prioritise resources to respond to recent animal disease outbreaks. 17 C&AG’s Report, paras 22, 2.8-2.9 18 Qq 35-36 19 Qq 37-38 20 C&AG’s report, para 2.10 21 Qq 40-42; C&AG’s report, para 1.5 11 APHA stated that a key challenge it faces will be to ensure that, regardless of outbreaks, it ringfences people and resources to ensure its systems and processes are modernised.22
Government Response Summary
The government agrees to the Committee’s recommendation and outlines the Delivering Sustainable Futures (DSF) Programme, which has a £10.9 million funding provision for 2025-26 and approximately the same year on year until 2029-30, totalling £62.8 million over the six years. The programme provides APHA with a clear plan for transforming end-to-end disease and pest management processes and systems with a target implementation date of February 2027.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: February 2027 4.2 The Delivering Sustainable Futures (DSF) Programme has a £10.9 million funding provision for 2025-26 and approximately the same year on year until 2029-30, totalling £62.8 million over the six years. The programme provides APHA with a clear plan for transforming end-to-end disease and pest management processes and systems. 4.3 This programme of work enables innovation, using automation, self-service and modern digital tools to streamline and standardise APHA’s services and improve efficiency of delivery and statutory duties such as inspections. 4.4 DSF Programme focus in 2025-26 is on building core capabilities and will pivot to commence end- to-end services from 2026-27. Due to complete by spring 2026, a digital customer contact form is being designed and developed, which will replace approximately 36 external APHA mailboxes, and enable the collation of customer data insights whilst improving customer contact. 4.5 From spring 2026 APHA will have a strategic platform for endemic and exotic licencing capability. 4.6 From summer 2026 APHA will commence workforce management and in field data capture for a priority animal inspection service. 4.7 From autumn 2026 APHA will commence risk-based determination of disease movement licence applications. 4.8 In the 2026-27 development of a customer-facing portal will commence, which will allow customers to update and maintain their data and view licence application status. 4.9 Progress toward these milestones is dependent on future funding arrangements, and additional funding may be required.