Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 23
23
Accepted
Ofcom significantly increased headcount and diversified recruitment for online safety regulatory responsibilities.
Conclusion
To deliver its online safety work, Ofcom reported that it has increased its headcount, from around 950 people to what will probably be around 1,500, an increase of about 50%.52 Progress in meeting its staffing requirements has been broadly to schedule.53 Ofcom described such a major recruitment programme as both a challenge and an opportunity to improve the overall shape and make-up of the organisation. It had been able to grow its expertise in technology and data, and now had a workforce that was more spread across the country.54 Ofcom has, so far, recruited from a variety of relevant bodies, including civil society bodies such as the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) and Internet Watch Foundation, law enforcement agencies, such as the National Crime Agency, other regulators, and online service providers such as Google and Meta.55
Government Response Summary
The government disagrees with the committee's implied recommendation, stating that both Ofcom and the Department already have effective workforce planning processes, including half-yearly reviews and horizon scanning, to ensure the necessary skills and people are in place.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
5.1 The government disagrees with the Committee’s recommendation. 5.2 The department and Ofcom agree with the Committee that they must have the right skills and people in place, to regulate effectively. Both organisations already have effective workforce planning processes, which ensure that the required skills are in place, fulfilling the intent of this recommendation. 5.3 Ofcom’s workforce planning runs half yearly. The online safety-specific detail of this workforce plan feeds into its online safety learning and development provision, as well as recruitment pipeline considerations, ensuring capability and capacity is proactively built as required. Ofcom reports to Parliament annually through its Annual Report and Accounts on its overall strategy for people, skills and capabilities to meet its remit. 5.4 Ofcom’s Strategy and Research, Online Technology, and Online Safety leadership teams together with the input of wider academic external partners work to ensure Ofcom keeps abreast of technology developments and understands the implications of these in regard to knowledge, skills and approaches to ways of working. More widely, Ofcom has launched a systematic horizon scanning function to understand the impact of technology developments over the next decade. 5.5 The department runs a yearly business planning process through which directorates specify and agree the headcount, roles and specialisms required to deliver their functions effectively. 5.6 Directorates including the Online Harms directorate hold delegated learning budgets and regularly assess particular skills needs. Departmental non-executives are appointed through a regulated public appointments process. The department will shortly announce a new cohort of non-executives who will support the board for a term of 3 years.