Review calls for rationalisation of Rural Payments Agency IT systems

Rural Payments Agency is criticised again

Another damning review on the Rural Payments Agency, which bungled the introduction of a new EU farm payments system at a cost of nearly £1bn, has called for the rationalisation of its computer systems when existing contracts expire next year.

The review, which was independent and commissioned by the government, warns that the agency failed to transfer sufficient skills to its own staff to keep its RITA system running following the expiration of arrangements with Accenture and Steria.

The review said existing systems have been modified to such an extent they have become bespoke and difficult to maintain.

It called on the agency to make the most of current system investment by identifying and preparing for re-use components that lend themselves to such an approach. It must also procure services currently provided by Accenture and Steria in a way that enables the transition to a more streamlined architecture.

The agency was also criticised for trying to avoid cleaning an error-ridden database that had been generating further errors every year it was in use.

Agriculture minister Jim Paice has taken personal charge of reforming the agency and preparing it to implement further EU agriculture policy reforms expected in 2013.

The IT system itself cost £350m and remains an expensive and inflexible resource, according to the review.

The payments crisis in 2005, resulted in farmers facing ruin after not receiving due subsidies. A further £304m was spent on additional staff costs, £280m has been set aside to pay expected EU fines and £38m was lost in overpayments.