Source · National Audit Office

Improving the UK’s science capability for managing animal diseases

Published: 15 Jun 2022 Recommendations: 7 Type: Value for Money NAO confirmed: 7 Department: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

This report examines whether Defra is well placed to redevelop the UK’s primary site for managing threats from animal diseases.

Dept: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Topics: Business and industryRisk and resilienceRisk managementScience and innovation nao.org.uk →

Recommendations

7 items

7 accepted 7 implemented

Rec	Recommendation	Addressee	Acceptance	Implementation
1	Defra should: a) prioritise producing a long-term asset management strategy for the Weybridge site within the next year. This should clearly set out responsibilities of all stakeholders reflecting current programmes and future changes. The strategy should be supported by underlying detailed asset management information Ref Page 12, paragraph 24, point a · Implemented Q4 2023-24	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs	Accepted	Implemented ✓ NAO
2	b) implement a system-level view of risk at the Weybridge site, with clear ownership and accountability. This will improve visibility across APHA, Defra Group Property and the Programme of the aggregate risk, so that the impact of decisions on all work and operations across the entire Weybridge site is understood by all. Ref Page 12, paragraph 24, point b · Implemented Q4 2024-25	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs	Accepted	Implemented ✓ NAO
3	c) monitor its progress in recruiting the right staff, and the impact of any headcount restrictions. Defra should acknowledge the impact that this risk will have on the Programme, including on costs and schedule. This should be reflected in its reporting and submissions to the IPA and HM Treasury Ref Page 12, paragraph 26, point c · Implemented Q4 2024-25	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs	Accepted	Implemented ✓ NAO
4	d) demonstrate that it is continuing to learn lessons from across government and is using best commercial practice in integrating contracts and in aligning contractual incentives to reduce costs and deliver to schedule Ref Page 12, paragraph 26, point d · Implemented Q4 2024-25	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs	Accepted	Implemented ✓ NAO
5	e) ensure that science and digital transformation elements of the Programme are fully integrated within the Programme and defined before finalising construction contracts. This is so all requirements are included, to minimise the risk of changes and increased costs. Ref Page 12, paragraph 26, point e · Implemented Q1 2024-25	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs	Accepted	Implemented ✓ NAO
6	f) clearly express uncertainty in cost and schedule estimates, to help decision-making and avoid setting unrealistic expectations. Where possible costs and schedule should be presented as ranges, with a plan for how these will reduce over time Ref Page 13, paragraph 27, point f · Implemented Q4 2024-25	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs	Accepted	Implemented ✓ NAO
7	g) set out robust estimates of the benefits of the Programme, to allow decision-makers to assess what can be delivered at what cost and the impact of any changes in scope. Defra needs to improve its understanding of benefits in advance of this, including on how both Defra and APHA will realise the benefits Ref Page 13, paragraph 27, point g · Implemented Q4 2024-25	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs	Accepted	Implemented ✓ NAO