Computer disposal plan criticised

Departments failed to check that data had been wiped properly

Public bodies could save £70m annually if they re-sold unwanted IT equipment sooner than they do, a watchdog says.

The National Audit Office said the government should stop disposing of IT gear when it had "little or no value".

While renewing equipment faster would increase procurement costs by £1.8bn, it would reduce maintenance costs and increase staff productivity, NAO said.

Government IT costs will rise from £2.7bn last year to £4.1bn in 2010.

Public bodies dispose of IT equipment after five years but the watchdog suggests they should consider a three-year deadline.

The NAO stressed that public bodies should "understand how they can generate value from their ICT equipment disposals, while at the same time they are clear about their statutory and ethical responsibilities about how their end-of-life ICT equipment is handled and where it, and the data it contains, ultimately ends up.

Government has so far not given enough thought to how it disposes of its computers and related equipment Sir John Bourn National Audit Office

"The majority of public bodies had no oversight of the data wiping standards and approaches being used in practice by their disposal agents," it added.

About 90% of central government organisations claimed information was cleared but 70% failed to obtain any evidence from the firms used to dispose of the equipment that it had been done.

It said there was "limited evidence of any joined-up disposal activity" despite the fact that many bodies used the same disposal agents and could get better deals if they acted together.

Lack of information

Its calculations of savings were only indicative because, it said, there was no comprehensive information from public bodies - "many simply do not know the volume and method of disposal".

As well as financial considerations, the NAO said environmental requirements, including legal duties, were important in planning disposal policies.

"Departments need to shape their strategies towards equipment which uses less raw materials in its manufacture, lasts longer, uses less energy in its operation and is easier to recycle."

Auditor general Sir John Bourn said: "Government has so far not given enough thought to how it disposes of its computers and related equipment.

"Growing concerns about the environment and the increasing volumes of equipment means this issue is becoming more important."