The government accepts this recommendation. The resourcing and capabilities of the Civil Contingencies Secretariat (CCS) have been improved. CCS is empowered to ‘stress test’ plans and ensure that Departments are able to carry out a contingency plan if required. CCS has strengthened significantly since the start of the pandemic. Additional staff were deployed to CCS from other government departments in early 2020 and the Secretariat has since been restructured to ensure it has the right skills and expertise to deliver its core functions. A refreshed structure was agreed in late 2021 with the creation of new teams, posts and senior leadership roles. In addition, the functional responsibility for national security risk assessment and horizon scanning has transferred from the Joint Intelligence Organisation (JIO) in the Cabinet Office to CCS. This will enable improved alignment of these critical functions with the UK’s civil contingencies arrangements. CCS plays a central role in ensuring that Government Departments and other organisations understand the risks that they face, and that plans are in place to manage them. CCS has also been empowered to ‘stress test’ plans and ensure that Departments are able to carry out a contingency plan if required. This is achieved through a variety of mechanisms including the provision of comprehensive guidance; regular training and exercising; bespoke support and challenge; and assurance of plans. CCS also has a key role in ensuring that lessons identified from emergencies are acted upon and that improvements are made to the UK’s resilience arrangements. Further details of the work of the Civil Contingencies Secretariat are included in the Cabinet Office’s Annual Report and Accounts, which is presented to Parliament each year.