Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 9
9
Deferred
No common definition for resilience activity hinders measurement of government investment.
Conclusion
The Cabinet Office and HM Treasury cannot identify how much is spent on resilience activity as there is no common definition of what constitutes this type of activity.16 Government has committed to developing a coordinated approach to investment in resilience by 2030, noting that to make strategic investment decisions, it needs to understand how current capabilities match up with risks and concentrate investment where gaps are identified. As a first step, it aims to agree on a working definition of resilience activities and capabilities, and using that, will map current government resilience capabilities. It also plans to start measuring and tracking departmental investment in resilience across national risks, meaning risk-owning departments will be able to track investments. The Cabinet Office told us that 2030 is an end point, not a target date, and if it can meet this sooner, it will.17
Government Response Summary
The government states that a review of national resilience will be overseen by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, with a Treasury Minute to be published upon its conclusion, effectively deferring a substantive response to the findings of that review.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
In his oral statement to Parliament on 19th July 2024 responding to the COVID-19 Inquiry Module One report, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster announced that he would oversee a review of national resilience. A Treasury Minute will be published once this review has concluded. The Cabinet Office will write to the new Committee in the meantime.