§ Maria EagleTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has for ensuring an adequate infrastructure for the future delivery of information technology services within his Department; and if he will make a statement. [140955]
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§ Mr. DarlingThe current IT network and office infrastructure will not support our modernisation plans and we need to ensure that it does not constrain either the long-term aspirations of the Department or joined up government in the future.
Following the successful completion of negotiations, the responsibility for delivery of a new, more cost effective network service for the Department transferred on 23 November to Arcway, a BT plc-led consortium. This offers the best approach for supporting the integrated IT that will be essential in delivering Government welfare reform.