FOI release

BSCC-FOI-1723-HD: augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) training

Updated 10 January 2024

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/biometrics-and-surveillance-camera-commissioner-foi-responses-2023/bscc-foi-1723-hd-augmented-realityvirtual-reality-arvr-training

Tony Eastaugh CBE
Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner
2 Marsham Street
London SW1P 4DF

6 December 2023

Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner

To: [redacted]

Our Ref: BSCC-FOI-1723-HD

Letter by email

Dear [redacted],

I write in response to your email received by our office on 20 November 2023 in which you ask for information on “the augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) training that” our office may deliver.

In reference to the above, you have asked the following questions:

  1. What training have you delivered using AR/VR technology?
  2. Are you currently engaging and talking with AR/VR suppliers, and if so who?
  3. Which suppliers have you used for AR/VR training and what was their spend in calendar year 2023 to date?
  4. What is the percentage split of AR/VR training spend between training delivered to own staff versus training delivered to users of government/public services in calendar year 2023 to date?
  5. How much budget have you allocated for AR/VR training for 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 calendar year?
  6. What public sector procurement route have you used to procure AR/VR technology from Jan 2021 to date?
  7. What public sector procurement route have you used to procure AR/VR design services of education training content from Jan 2021 to date?

Your request has been handled as a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

As Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner, I regulate the use of surveillance camera systems by relevant authorities (the police and local authorities) in England and Wales pursuant of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012. I do not regulate the use of domestic CCTV systems or systems operated by other organisations, nor do I have powers which enable me to inspect or audit CCTV systems, enforce laws, or otherwise impose a financial or other sanction. My role is advisory.

The Office of the Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner does not offer augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) training. Therefore, we are unable to provide answers to your above questions.

If you are dissatisfied with this response, you may request an independent internal review of our handling of your request by submitting a complaint within two months to the address below, quoting reference BSCC-FOI-1723-HD. If you ask for an internal review, it would be helpful if you could say why you are dissatisfied with the response.

Mark Greenhorn
14th Floor Lunar House
Building 40 Wellesley Road
Croydon CR9 2BY

e-mail: sciencesupportfoi@homeoffice.gov.uk

As part of any internal review, our handling of your information request will be reassessed by staff who were not involved in providing you with this response. If you remain dissatisfied after this internal review, you would have a right of complaint to the Information Commissioner as established by section 50 of the Freedom of Information Act.

Kind regards,

Tony Eastaugh CBE

Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner

Email: enquiries@obscc.org.uk

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