We do not hold the information requested around costs for deployment of screen readers, speech recognition software and screen magnification software to our computers for use by customers. This is because the computers contain these products as a standard feature and were not purchased separately. These products are kept up to date and maintained in line with updates to the system as a whole.

DWP has completed an upgrade of all Customer Computers across the whole Jobcentre network which means that all devices provided for use by customers have the standard accessibility features available such as being able to change the screen size & colour, replacing sounds with screen alerts, converting sounds to text and using the screen reader to read text.

We now have over 7973 devices across our estate, registered with these accessibility features. The numbers of computers available for customers to use in jobcentres will differ between larger and smaller offices. We also constantly review the number of computers available and have capacity to increase the number of devices quickly, if the need arises.

The software in use on these machines is continually upgraded as and when required to ensure their continued use for customers. In addition to this further support is available to customers where reasonable adjustments are identified and recorded. Each Jobcentre District Office has been provided with the following items for use by customers if requested:

• A keyboard with larger keys
• A large trackball mouse
• Headphones. However, many people will want to use their own

We have opened a number of new sites across the estate to support delivery of face to face public services. As part of this work, Customer Computers are available in these sites.

We have also improved access to our Wi-Fi services in all jobcentres, allowing customers to use their own personal devices if they prefer, to access internet services.

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) led catch recording application currently remains in a ‘public beta’ phase, which includes a rollout of the service to the fishing sector. During this phase the MMO has published information, advice and guidance to provide support to all users. Current figures indicate over 80% of the active under 10 metre fleet have adopted the new recording method with over 80,000 catch records successfully submitted.

The MMO remains committed to continuous improvement based on feedback from stakeholders to improve the app’s functionality and since launching the app this feedback has helped inform additional system improvements. This has included increasing the number of ports available within the app and the ability to record weights of fish lower than 1kg.

Up to 30 June 2020, the Marine Management Organisation received 26,333 catch records and 31,261 sales notes from under 10 metre English-licenced fishing vessels.

Catch records submitted through the Catch App and data submitted through sales notes are not always directly comparable. Catch records from multiple landings by the same vessel can be combined into one sale, and sales to multiple buyers can be generated from a single landing. In addition, fishers are able to sell fish directly to members of the public for private consumption in batches of up to 30kg without the requirement for submission of a sales note.

There is no plan to replace the current under 10 metre catch recording application. In line with Agile development principles and common to many Government digital services, the app remains in a ‘public beta’ phase of development. The Marine Management Organisation is committed to continuous improvement based on feedback from stakeholders to improve the app’s functionality and utility.

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has not taken any enforcement action using evidence from the Catch Recording app as outlined in the MMO’s response to the public consultation in June 2019. The MMO’s priority has been to continue to support the under 10 metre fleet to adjust to the new licence condition to record their catches of quota species via workshops, drop-in sessions and digital support. The MMO will provide notice to the fishing sector before moving in to an enforcement phase.

The development of the Catch Recording application has followed standard Government practice and was quality-assured by the Government Digital Service (GDS). The app is currently in a ‘public beta’ phase, which includes a rollout of the service to the fishing sector. During this phase the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has published information, advice and guidance to provide support to all users. Current figures indicate a significant portion (77%) of the active under 10 metre fleet have adopted the new recording method with over 27,000 catch records successfully submitted. The comprehensive data that catch recording offers will enable the MMO to have confidence in its assessments of the total volumes and species of fish being taken from English waters by the under 10 metre fleet.

The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, the Rt Hon Victoria Prentis MP, has responsibility for this policy area. The Secretary of State, the Rt Hon George Eustice MP, has overall responsibility for all departmental activity.

The catch recording application was introduced as the best solution to capture recorded landings for the under 10 metre fishing fleet. The app has undergone extensive user research and testing involving representatives from the fishing industry. 77% of those invited to register have already done so, submitting over 27,000 records through the application to date. Since January 2020, an average 936 records have been successfully submitted through the application each week by vessels registered in England.

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has clarified publicly in updates published on 10 and 26 February 2020 that there would be further time for those within the fishing industry to adjust to the introduction of the new catch recording application.

In addition to continued one-to-one support from coastal offices, the MMO has held over 15 drop-in sessions around the country earlier this year to support the fishing industry with the continued roll out. The MMO continues to work on implementing improvements to the catch recording app based on feedback from existing users. Some of the improvements already implemented include the addition of further ports and species to the app and making it possible to record weights less than 1kg.

The MMO are continuing to work with industry to improve the service, in terms of its functionality and utility. The MMO remain committed to continuing to listen to and support the fishing community in adapting to this new requirement, making changes to the system where necessary.

The Government is working closely with industry to ensure our food supply chains remain resilient and to help our world-leading farmers and growers access the labour they need over the busy harvest months, to ensure our excellent fruit and vegetables are on people’s plates over the summer months.

Recruitment efforts are underway by industry and we are encouraging as many people as possible to take up seasonal work on farms. The Pick for Britain website is a recently launched joint Defra and industry initiative to bring together people who are looking for work on UK farms with recruiters who have roles to fill. These jobs are being uploaded regularly via campaigns being run by recruiters specialising in seasonal work, so we would encourage people to check the Jobs page on www.pickforbritain.org.uk regularly. We are aware of job-matching apps, but these are industry managed and not something that the Government is actively involved in beyond enforcing relevant regulations.

Scientific surveys conducted by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science have highlighted that data derived from sales notes and other historic documentation does not accurately reflect the volumes of fish being landed and sold by the under-10m fleet as a whole. These are consistent with the findings of European Commission audits carried out in 2011-12.

The requirement for the digital solution for catch recording, including an app, formed part of the beta assessment conducted by the Government Digital Service. As outlined in the published assessment report, the service passed the beta assessment stage.

The length of time used for the beta phase of the catch recording service development followed Government Digital Service standards. This involved two phases: a ‘private’ beta phase of service development which involved inviting a limited number of individuals; and a ‘public’ beta phase which involved opening the service up to all users in a phased roll-out.

Feedback obtained from fishers and support personnel during the beta phase of development is held and reflected the need for a simple mobile application.

The Marine Management Organisation continues to work on implementing improvements to the catch recording app based on feedback from existing users.

The assessment undertaken by the Government Digital Service (GDS) focused on ensuring that during the development of the catch recording application the Service Standard had been considered and met. The GDS Service Standard covers a wide range of specific elements including understanding users and their needs, making services simple to use and choosing the right tools and technology. It is available to view on the GOV.UK website at: www.gov.uk/service-manual/service-standard. Other data related systems were not reviewed or assessed by GDS.

The then Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries & Food, the Rt Hon Robert Goodwill MP, approved the live assessment stage of the catch recording app in May 2019. The live assessment was conducted by the Government Digital Service (GDS) in July 2019.

The assessment undertaken by the GDS and subject to the beta assessment report published on 6 August 2019 did not assess live testing of the application.

The user research that was undertaken for the catch recording project involved extensive engagement covering many points, including the compliance risks, sustainability benefits, harbour landing processes, frequency of landings, tidal considerations and catch recording completion times. This insight was used to inform the digital solution of a simple mobile application that could be used to record catches prior to landing even when no internet signal is available.

It is important that we have a good understanding of the state of fish stocks especially those subject to quota restrictions and also when quotas are close to being exhausted. Catch recording prior to landing commits the master/owner of a vessel to an amount and allows this information to be subsequently cross checked with data reported by merchants. This will result in a more accurate assessment of the amount of fish being landed.

The Marine Management Organisation did consider introducing an additional requirement for the exact weight of landings to be provided through landing declarations to be submitted by fishers within 24 hours of landing. However, this requirement was removed following feedback received during consultation with industry which implied this would be too burdensome on industry.

The catch recording application formed part of a wider procurement programme for digital transformation services and was procured through the GOV.UK Digital Marketplace. The contract was awarded to Engine Partners UK LLP (The Engine Group) on 1 August 2018. Full details of the contract awarded and value are available online at: www.digitalmarketplace.service.gov.uk/digital-outcomes-and-specialists/opportunities/6866.

The Marine Management Organisation and Engine Partners UK LLP (The Engine Group) jointly prepared the assessment submitted to the Government Digital Service for the beta stage assessment. The contract formed part of a wider procurement programme for digital transformation services and was procured through the GOV.UK Digital Marketplace. The contract was awarded to Engine Partners UK LLP (The Engine Group) on 1 August 2018. Full details of the contract awarded and value are available online at: www.digitalmarketplace.service.gov.uk/digital-outcomes-and-specialists/opportunities/6866.

The £1.8 million figure relates to costs associated with the contract for the development and build for the catch recording project. Publication of a detailed breakdown would not be appropriate due to commercial sensitivities. Further costs totalling £590,000 have also been incurred to date in connection with development of the application that fall outside of the main developer costs including staff resource, establishment of call centre and other management costs.

Following concerns raised from the public about the wording used within the report, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) contacted the Government Digital Service (GDS) to request that this was removed from their website. An amended version removing the content causing offence was then published at the request of the MMO.

The wording used within the original report comes from independent research undertaken during the initial process of developing the catch recording app. It does not reflect the views of the MMO, Defra or GDS.