Source · Select Committees · Committees on Arms Export Controls
Recommendation 9
9
Accepted in Part
Paragraph: 39
It is also disappointing that the Government has not published terms of reference outlining the...
Recommendation
It is also disappointing that the Government has not published terms of reference outlining the aims and remit of the ECJU Transformation Programme. The Government should publish the terms of reference for the ECJU Transformation Programme, and provide us with six-monthly updates on the Programme, including progress on its intended outcomes.
Government Response Summary
The government declined to publish formal terms of reference, stating the Transformation Programme is internal and its aims were already communicated. However, it committed to providing the committee with regular updates on the transformation and its continuous improvement activities.
Paragraph Reference:
39
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
The Transformation Programme is an internal business improvement programme. The aims of the programme, which were communicated to the Committee in a letter in May 2022, are to enable ECJU to offer a professional customer-focussed licence application service, which provides timely and accurate advice and support. The service will be underpinned by modern technology and efficient processes. To operate this service effectively, ECJU’s culture will be open, inclusive, and professional, and staff will be supported and provided with access to learning and development opportunities. The first stage of the transformation was completed by a dedicated team. From January 2023, the transformation will move into a continuous improvement model managed within ECJU. ECJU commits to providing the Committee with regular updates on the transformation and its continuous improvement activities, and ECJU will use its regular engagement with union representatives to keep them up to date on the progress of this work. ECJU recognises the importance of engaging proactively with its stakeholders. That is why it has created a new dedicated post and team to lead ECJU Engagement. Building upon the existing engagement mechanisms with industry and academia, e.g. through trade associations such as ADS Group, this role will deliver a new stakeholder engagement strategy in 2023. A key objective of ECJU’s engagement strategy will be to establish mechanisms to consistently and effectively engage with industry and we intend to take exporters’ views into account in designing how these mechanisms should work.