End of spend controls for ICT programmes: FOI release

Information requested

In 2022, the Director of Digital (Geoff Huggins) announced that he did not support the introduction of "spend controls" on ICT projects. (see: https://www.parliament.scot/-/media/files/committees/public-audit-committee/correspondence/2022/major-ict-projects-directordigital-to-pac-2-december-2022.pdf)

In light of the current pressures facing Scottish public services, can the Scottish Government confirm which Ministers formally approved the decision to stand down the "Spend Controls service"?

Response

The decision did not require formal ministerial approval as the Digital Spend Control project was a proof-of-concept pilot. Through the pilot it was identified that the model would not deliver the required value for money, or achieve the intended strategic outcomes.

A new approach was developed then discussed with the Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise on 02 September 2022. An update on the Digital Spend Control pilot outcomes and a summary of the new approach was then communicated to the Public Audit Committee by correspondence on 02 December 2022.

About FOI

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