Value for Money
Progress with delivering the Emergency Services Network
Published 8 March 2023
6 recommendations
Home Office
Digital, data and technologyLegacy systemsProgramme deliveryProject and service delivery
nao.org.uk
This report describes the Home Office’s progress on delivering the Emergency Services Network programme, and sets out the main risks it faces.
Recommendations (6)
Source: NAO Recommendations Tracker · PAC follow-up below
Home Office
Rec 1
Accepted
Implemented
completes the work it has started to revisit the programme?s objectives and assumptions, and to re-articulate the programme?s rationale to demonstrate whether ESN remains the right thing to do given the increasing use of mobile data by users and technology developments;
Home Office
Rec 2
Accepted
Implemented
before the end of 2023, establishes a process for continually assessing the risks and investment required to maintain Airwave to better understand how long this network could be used for, and therefore the time it has available to complete ESN
Home Office
Rec 3
Accepted
Implemented
improves the programme?s management information, so that it is consistent and timely, and includes metrics as well as leading indicators to help consider progress and identify where action is required
Home Office
Rec 4
Accepted
Work in Progress
continues developing a revised programme plan. This should include realistic time frames that are not driven by an arbitrary date for shutting down Airwave, but which allows sufficient time to complete and test that ESN?s technical architecture works. This should include time and cost estimates that allow for optimism bias and are presented in ranges to reflect uncertainty where appropriate
Home Office
Rec 5
Accepted
Implemented
uses its experiences from the user services contract to better manage the risks that it needs to avoid, or mitigate, with the new supplier to increase the likelihood of the technology being introduced on time and in line with users? needs;
Home Office
Rec 6
Accepted
Implemented
ensures that the new network infrastructure contract has sufficient mechanisms and incentives to establish effective relationships and ensure value for money within this contract period, while supporting a wider strategy for how the Home Office will avoid being locked into one supplier in the future
Parliamentary Committee Follow-Up
The Public Accounts Committee examined this NAO report and published its own recommendations. The government responds to PAC recommendations via Treasury Minutes.
Sixty-Fourth Report - The Emergency Services Network
Public Accounts Committee
· 14 July 2023
· 12 recommendations