Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 22
22
Deferred
No dedicated Chief Risk Officer role exists, despite previous recommendations and ongoing debate
Conclusion
We asked the witnesses why there is still no Chief Risk Officer or Advisor, like the National Security Adviser, to provide a more cohesive system-wide view and leadership. The Cabinet Office told us that the Head of Resilience fulfils that role, by looking at all the resilience risks across Government and ensuring that there is a robust system in place to be prepared for them. It explained that the role reports into the Deputy National Security Advisor and has the support of the Deputy Prime Minister who chairs the National Security Council on Resilience.39 HM Treasury told us that arguments for an overall Chief Risk 34 C&AG’s Report, para 12 35 Q 43 36 Qq 3, 4, 24 37 Qq 38, 139 38 Committee of Public Accounts, Government preparedness for the COVID-19 pandemic: lessons for government on risk; 46th report of Session 2021–22, HC 952, March 2022, conclusions and recommendations 1 39 Qq 38, 44, 46, 47 16 Government resilience: extreme weather Advisor reflect a desire for more challenge of government and the arguments against the role reflect the scale of the subject matter and the concern that others with responsibilities for risks may feel less responsible for those risks. HM Treasury noted that it is working to understand what that role could consist of and what contributions different parts of government are currently making to the management of risk.40 Roles and responsibilities
Government Response Summary
The government deferred responding to the conclusion, stating that a review of national resilience will be overseen by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and a Treasury Minute will be published after the review concludes.
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.