Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 26
26
Accepted
Department’s Annual Report and Accounts provides insufficient detail on digital and AI developments.
Recommendation
We similarly asked about the Department’s progress on technological and digital developments and the use of artificial intelligence (AI), as key areas which could improve productivity. We were surprised that the Department’s Annual Report and Accounts contains such little information on those 40 Q 71; National Audit Office, Departmental Overview: Department of Health & Social Care, October 2018, page 3 41 Q 68 19 areas and asked for fuller details to be provided in future. The Department explained that it was “absolutely developing a refreshed tech plan as part of the productivity plan” and committed to place more focus on these areas in its next Annual Report and Accounts.42
Government Response Summary
The government commits to improving its 2024-25 Annual Report and Accounts to include fuller details on technological and digital developments and the use of AI, and will provide an update to the Committee by September 2025.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendations. Target implementation date: September 2025 2.2 The department is committed to the continuous improvement of its Annual Report and Accounts (ARA) to ensure the content is as transparent and informative as possible, both in the specific areas to which the Committee refers and in other emerging areas of public and parliamentary interest. 2.3 The department plans to cover the areas listed in recommendations 2a and 2b in its 2024-25 ARA. The department will update the Committee on progress alongside its update to the Committee on recommendation 5 in September.