Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 32
32
Accepted
Government faces limited choice and high switching costs in concentrated technology market
Recommendation
GCF explained that government has historically sought to exercise buying power through competition between technology suppliers. Increasingly, the technology market is being dominated by a small number of very large suppliers. We observed that moving between digital suppliers, particularly cloud providers, is not something to be undertaken lightly because the change can be very expensive, complex and disruptive. Both DSIT and GCF recognised that this gives customers, including government, a more limited choice and so they need to become more sophisticated buyers.55
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation and will evolve its Commercial Operating Model, develop a standard taxonomy, and undertake a review of controls and assurance frameworks by December 2025 to become a more sophisticated digital buyer.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
6.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: December 2025 6.2 The Commercial Operating model is evolving to consider how to facilitate the delivery of the functional standards for commercial and digital and will be adjusted to reflect any proposed changes to the Commercial operating model under the Cabinet Office departmental transformation programme. 6.3 The review will also include the development of a standard taxonomy from which we can develop category strategies to ensure that we standardise specifications, consolidate demand, and shape our approach to the market, calling on resources and insights from across HMG and the wider public sector where appropriate. 6.4 A review of the controls and assurance frameworks will be undertaken to ensure that a unified, proportionate and considered approach is taken to optimise the process and accelerate delivery.