24
Accepted
Vetting transformation customers frustrated by programme delays, lack of input, and substantial underspend.
Conclusion
The Cabinet Office was keen to confirm that it has full customer support for vetting transformation.62 For example, centralised decision making is an important component of the transformation plan whereby UKSV takes the whole decision on clearance rather than allowing departments to make the final decision based on UKSV’s advice.63 The Cabinet Office told us that 70% of all decision are now centralised with customers signed up to this approach.64 It did, however, acknowledge that UKSV may have to offer additional checks to all customers to assuage the concerns of others who consider their business has special requirements and to drive transferability of checks between departments.65 UKSV’s customers are frustrated with the lack of progress on the transformation programme. They fund the programme but have no say in how that funding is used. UKSV was forecasting an underspend of £6.5 million on the programme in 2022–23 due to delays in getting Cabinet Office approval for the business case, delays to progress on the plan and delays in resourcing. With an overspend of £1.5 million elsewhere across the business it was anticipating refunding around £5 million to customers in 2022–23.66 57 C&AG’s Report, para 3.7 58 C&AG’s Report, para 3.10 and Figure 14 59 Q63; C&AG’s Report, para 3.10 and Figure 14 60 Q 75 61 Qq 74, 80, 82 62 Q 82 63 C&AG’s Report, para 3.8 64 Qq 35, 66 65 Q 67 66 Q 72; C&AG’s Report, paras 3.14 and 3.15 18 The performance of UK Security Vetting
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the Committee's (implicit) recommendation and states it has implemented an enhanced governance structure for UKSV. This new structure addresses the Committee's observations by ensuring Cabinet Office corporate functions are represented, UKSV customers are represented at senior and practitioner levels, and strengthening oversight of vetting transformation.
Government Response
Accepted
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
5.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 5.2 An independent governance review has now been completed. The review endorsed the Committee’s findings, and UKSV will now implement an enhanced governance structure that addresses the observations made by the Committee, National Audit Office and the independent governance review. 5.3 This includes: • ensuring Cabinet Office corporate functions are fully represented within the UKSV governance structures; • ensuring UKSV customers are represented at both a senior and practitioner level within the structure; • clear distinctions are drawn between policy approval and the management of vetting delivery performance; and • strengthening support for oversight of vetting transformation. 5.4 Implementation commenced in June 2023 following the relevant approvals from the Government Chief Security Officer and Cabinet Office Corporate Services.
Source
Committee
Public Accounts Committee
Report
Fifty-Third Report - The performance of UK Security Vetting
12 May 2023
HC 994
Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age
3.2 yrs
Report published
12 May 2023