MPs warn about new communications system for emergency services
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Version 0 of 1. Delays in introducing a new communications system for the emergency services in could cost taxpayers £475m a year, MPs have warned. The Commons public accounts committee has reported that the emergency services network (ESN), which is to replace the current Airwave system, could require more testing than the start date of December 2019 allowed for. The financial watchdog said postponing the introduction for a year could cost hundreds of millions of pounds. It added that the Home Office had not budgeted for an extended transition period or put in place detailed contingency arrangements to manage this risk of delay for the police, fire and ambulance services. Good communications “can make the difference between life and death for both emergency services personnel and the public”, the committee said. It has called on the Home Office to put in place adequate independent testing of the ESN technology to ensure it worked under pressure in a live environment and also address security concerns about communications on the London underground and other tunnel transport systems. MPs on the committee also raised concern that the Home Office failed to maintain competitive pressure during the tendering of the two main ESN contracts. Meg Hillier, the Labour MP who chairs the committee, said: “The stakes in this programme are extremely high. It is absolutely right that emergency services will not commit to using ESN in potentially life-or-death situations until they are convinced it works. “Questions continue to hang over the technology, not least how it will operate on underground rail systems in London and elsewhere – high-risk environments that present unique challenges in emergencies. These must be addressed urgently. She added: “We are disappointed that detailed contingency plans have not been budgeted for or drawn up in the event that, as now seems likely, implementation over-runs. “It is critical for public safety and achieving value for money that the government has a firm grasp of the implications of delays in its timetable and a costed plan to tackle them. “We will expect it to demonstrate real progress in this area when it reports back to us later this year.” Her committee’s report states: “The National Audit Office estimated that the programme was between five and 10 months behind target and emergency services representatives are less than 50% confident that ESN will be delivered on time. “Despite the prospect of delay the department [Home Office] has not budgeted for an extended transition period or put in place detailed contingency arrangements to manage this risk. “The current Airwave contracts expire in December 2019 and the only contingency if ESN is not functional by then is to extend them, which would cost an estimated £475m for a year’s delay nationwide. “The department has negotiated a fixed price with Airwave’s new owner, Motorola, to extend Airwave if needed on a regional and monthly basis but detailed contingency plans to manage any such extensions have not been prepared.” |