However, the National Audit Office reported that the Department finds it difficult to recruit and retain digital specialist talent.31 We were interested in what is stopping the Department from getting the skills it needs; for example, its ability to pay the market rate for digital specialists. The Department acknowledged that it does not expect to compete with the private sector on pay. However, the Department said it is starting to extend government’s common digital pay framework across the ...

However, the National Audit Office reported that the Department finds it difficult to recruit and retain digital specialist talent.31 We were interested in what is stopping the Department from getting the skills it needs; for example, its ability to pay the market rate for digital specialists. The Department acknowledged that it does not expect to compete with the private sector on pay. However, the Department said it is starting to extend government’s common digital pay framework across the whole of Defence to help remove internal competition across the Department.32 We noted that around 60% of the Department’s digital jobs are based in Cors Type: conclusion | Number: 11 | Response status: not_addressed Government response: 3. PAC conclusion: The department faces a considerable challenge to recruit the specialist digital skills that its strategy relies on. 3. PAC recommendation: In its update to us in six months, the department should also set out how it has changed its approach to