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Departments utilise Surge and Rapid Response Team for seasonal demand peaks and emerging crisis responses.

Conclusion
We asked about how departments were making use of the SRRT. The ODP explained how the SRRT helps to deal with seasonal peaks in demand, such as Winter Fuel payments, as well as with emerging crises, such as the collapse of an airline, prioritised based on greatest need.51 Further examples of deployments mentioned by witnesses included dealing with passport application backlogs, processing Ukrainian visas, and assisting with the evacuation of Afghanistan.52
Government Response

A response document is linked to this report, dated 19 January 2026. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document.

Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age 0.9 yr
Report published 22 Oct 2025