Defra moves forward in legacy IT replacement

Aims to replace or update nearly 2,000 applications over the next decade

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has updated or replaced 180 “critical” legacy applications, in line with its 10-year plan.

Last year, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) claimed that Defra had no intentions of replacing or modernising legacy systems.

However, the department responded that it had already switched 30 legacy systems to modern alternatives in recent years, and has budgeted £726 million for IT modernisation between 2021 and 2025.

A report by the National Audit Office (NAO) in December 2022 found the funding for digital investments for the 2022-2025 period stood at £871m.

The report also noted that, in July 2022, 30% of Defra's applications were not supported by their supplier. With IT investment having been low for years, there is an increased risk of massive failure or a successful cyberattack.

The report also found that, alongside requiring modernisation for multiple applications, a huge number of databases and spreadsheets have been developed locally - outside the mainstream technology function.

While the exact number remains unknown, Defra is investigating the sources of grey IT to begin addressing those at highest risk.

Mark Spencer, minister of state for Defra, said in response to a parliamentary question: "We continue to invest in replacing legacy IT systems, both through the dedicated upgrade programmes and through major programme deliveries."

"Over 180 applications have had their most critical legacy technology addressed through this programme. We are addressing legacy technology in other applications through digital transformation and policy programmes where this provides a better-coordinated approach."

As well as IT modernisation, Defra's Legacy Application Programme also focuses on exiting old datacentres, removing obsolescence, and encouraging and supporting application security.

Despite focusing exclusively on Defra, the NAO has warned the government that departments require both the capital funding to construct new digital infrastructure, and enough funding to maintain them.

The NAO said, "The comparative ease of getting capital funding compared with resource funding can lead to departments providing digital services without funding for maintenance costs, which they often omit from their business cases."

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