Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

Publication of the Intelligence and Security Committee’s Reports on GCHQ Accommodation Procurement: A Case Study

19 November 2020 · Prime Minister

Proposed by Boris Johnson Con Uxbridge and South Ruislip

Parliamentary Procedure

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

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At a glance

Key points

  • Publication of the Intelligence and Security Committee's report on GCHQ accommodation procurement
  • The Government will respond to the report's recommendations in full at a later date
  • Nova South met all necessary criteria for the NCSC's needs and was available urgently

Issue summary

The statement addresses the publication of the Intelligence and Security Committee's report on GCHQ accommodation procurement, focusing on the NCSC London headquarters.

Action requested

The Government acknowledges the report's recommendations and will respond to them in full at a later date. It also highlights that Nova South met all necessary criteria for the NCSC's needs and was available within an urgent timeframe.

Key facts

  • The Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) has published a report on GCHQ accommodation procurement.
  • The report examines the procurement process for the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) London headquarters, specifically Nova South.
  • The NCSC required a workspace that balanced accessibility and operational capability to defend against cyber threats effectively.
  • Nova South was selected due to its proximity to Whitehall and other stakeholders within the Government Secure Zone.
  • The site became available within a year when there was an urgent need for increased defensive cyber capabilities.
  • Since procurement, Nova South has hosted Government and industry partners and contributed to global cybersecurity commitments.
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