The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee has launched a new inquiry into Government resilience and how it addresses the impacts of extreme weather.
Of the 89 risks on the Government’s National Risk Register, eight are extreme weather events, defined as those that are significantly different from the average or usual weather pattern. Government does have mechanisms in place to manage these risks, but a National Audit Office (NAO) report published in December 2023 into government resilience in this area has found these could be strengthened.
The NAO is warning that the government is underprepared for extreme weather events, such as severe floods, which have the potential to cause significant disruption to the country.
In January 2023, the Cabinet Office wrote to the Committee announcing the publication of its UK Government Resilience Framework, designed to improve the management civil contingency risks. Recent events, including multiple severe storms, high temperatures, and droughts, highlight the challenges faced by the UK from these risks, while the pandemic underlines the need to improve resilience against future emergencies.
Based on the NAO report, the Select Committee will take evidence from senior officials from the Cabinet Office and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on subjects including:
- Does the UK Government have a clear vision and well-defined roles and responsibilities to manage national risks, such as extreme weather events, and the generic capabilities to deal with emergencies;
- What are the risks from extreme weather events;
- What is the Government’s understanding of risks and any gaps in its knowledge;
- How the UK Government can develop resilience;
- What is the appropriate pace and scale of adaptation required to fully prepare the UK for climate risks.
The Committee’s inquiry will look at central government management of risks rather than local response plans. The inquiry does not cover arrangements in the devolved nations.
The Public Accounts Committee examines the value for money of Government projects, programmes and service delivery. Drawing on the work of the National Audit Office the Committee holds government officials to account for the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of public spending.
Deadline to submit evidence to the Committee is 23:59pm on Wednesday 7 February 2024. Click here for more information
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