Issues with new Gov IT system were "inevitable"

Thursday 04 May 2023

Issues arising from the implementation of the Government's new IT system were "inevitable", Treasury Minister Ian Gorst has claimed in the most recent States sitting.

The Government started delivering the £63million Integrated Technology Solution (ITS) programme in January.

The transition was intended to improve how the Government manages finances, assets, inventory and suppliers and replaces the increasingly unsupported Supply Jersey and JD Edwards technologies.

However, the switch has caused numerous "teething issues", most notably regarding the Connect Finance system which hindered the Government's ability to pay invoices and caused Treasury Minister Ian Gorst to ask suppliers for "patience" while it tackled the IT problems.

When the system change came into force at the end of last year, around 8,000 outstanding payments totalling £22 million were discovered by the Government. 

The changes also meant that some parents of new pupils who had previously been sent a direct debit form for their school fees needed to complete a new form before the start of the academic year.

Alongside these financial problems, it has now also emerged that resources had to be diverted from other areas to prioritise issues arising from the implementation of Connect Finance – meaning that the publication of the report on the Government's use of consultants, and details of Ministerial travel and expenses, were both delayed.

During this week's States sitting, Deputy Lyndsay Feltham asked if Deputy Gorst would update the Assembly on the assessment of the implementation of the new system and the risks from these issues.

Deputy Gorst responded: "It was inevitable that issues would arise, and indeed they have. They are being addressed. There is a process to raise any issues and high priority issues are being resolved quickly."

Pictured: Deputy Ian Gorst previously pleaded for "patience" while the government worked to resolve technical issues.

He added: "Any new IT system cannot simply be introduced and digitise previous processes. Process has to change so that the IT system can work, and most of the challenges we face are around system change that perhaps wasn't done in the way that we had either hoped or expected to be done."

He said the risks of these issues included undelivered services and invoices paid which were not raised.

He added: "Individuals from my department are going out to support other departments to make sure they understand how to use the system appropriately and in the best way possible to mitigate those risks."

Pictured: The Comptroller and Auditor General, Lynn Pamment.

The Integrated Technology Solution (ITS) was initially earmarked to cost £28m in the 2020-23 Government Plan, which increased to £40m in the 2021-24 plan, and then £62.5m in the next one.