1st Report - Gambling on 'Efficiency': Defence Acquisition and Procurement

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government welcomes the report and responds point by point, agreeing on some matters such as local value and the role of science and technology, while noting or qualifying others, including the efficiency tracker and the pre-appointment hearings.

• On the recommendation to broaden 'value for money' to include local value, it says "We agree with the Committee's recommendation" and commits to pilot analysis of economic value in the concept phase of "some higher value business cases".
• On an 'efficiency tracker', it "note[s]" the recommendation and will "ensure consideration is given to" publication, adding that this "may not be feasible" given sensitivity and the effect on timely decisions.
• On the Single Source Regulations Office's scope and powers, it points to a review of the legislation completed in December 2017, and says the Defence Secretary "will be announcing the way forward" shortly.
• On pre-appointment hearings, it says the DE&S chief executive post is "not a public appointment", but the Secretary of State is "happy for the Committee to invite them to give evidence before they take up their post".

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