On 21 September 2018 the Home Office announced a “new strategic direction” for the Emergency Services Network (ESN). It stated that, following a review, the roll out of the ESN will take place in phases beginning in 2019.
Last year, figures from the National Audit Office suggested that a 12-month nationwide delay in the time taken to transition to the new ESN will cost £475 million. [2] This means that every day of delay to transition will cost approximately £1.3 million.
So, who will pay for the delays and when will the new ESN actually be up and running?
The GLA Oversight Committee meets tomorrow to get an update on progress with the development of the ESN and key risks and issues facing the development of the ESN in London, with a particular focus on the Underground.
The following guests will be questioned:
- Bryan Clark, Programme Director, Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme (ESMCP) – Home Office
- Stephen Webb, Senior Responsible Owner, ESMCP – Home Office
- Siobhan Peters, Chief Financial Officer, MOPAC and member of the ESN National Programme Board
- Shashi Verma, Chief Technology Officer and Director of Customer Experience – TfL
The meeting will take place on Wednesday, 17th October from 10am in The Chamber, at City Hall (The Queen’s Walk, London SE1).
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed via webcast.
Follow us @LondonAssembly and take part in the discussion using #AssemblyOversight
Notes to editors
- The new ESN will provide a mobile-data based communications network for the emergency services, replacing their existing Airwave solution. The ESN aims to deliver numerous improvements over Airwave, including providing high-speed data to users, greater flexibility to make use of new technologies as they are developed, and cost savings.
- National Audit Office, Upgrading emergency service communications: the Emergency Services Network, 15 September 2016. Pages 10, 33, 51
- Full agenda papers.
- Gareth Bacon AM, Chairman of the GLA Oversight Committee, is available for interview – see contact details below.
- The GLA Oversight Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Alison Bell on 020 7983 4228. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.