Attempts to overhaul local fire and rescue centres in the aftermath of the disastrous FiReControl project are at risk of running late and over budget, spending watchdogs have warned.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has today reported on progress in minimising damage from the previous Government's attempt to centralise 46 centres into 9 state of-the-art emergency FiReControl locations, which has to date wasted at least £482m.

But the MPs warn seven of the 22 local projects funded with an extra £82m to develop a new approach, are behind schedule.  Two have been delayed by a year, raising doubts as to whether forecast savings of £126m, efficiency benefits and deadlines would be met.

‘Relying on multiple local projects risks value for money,' said Margaret Hodge, PAC chair.  ‘We are not confident that local teams have the right IT and procurement skills to get good deals from suppliers and monitor contracts effectively.'

‘There is a risk that the DCLG has swung from an overly prescriptive national approach to one that does not provide enough national oversight and coordination and fails to meet national needs or achieve economies of scale,' Ms Hodge added.

After the coalition scrapped the scheme in December 2010, leases of up to 25 years meant the project faced potential liabilities of more than £500m while the regional centres lay empty as 'white elephants'.

But Five of the nine centres, including those in London, Fareham, Warrington and Durham have found public sector tenants – with the capital's centre being opened as the Fire and Emergency Planning Authority's operations centre ahead of last year's Olympic Games.

The PAC recommended the DCLG must consider the total cost to taxpayers, not just its own accounts, when offering inducements to entice prospective public sector tenants to move into the four vacant control centres.

In response, a DCLG spokesman said the Government had taken decisive action in  ‘cancelling the flawed FireControl contract, which was over-budget, behind schedule and failed to work'.

'A programme of locally determined improvements have been put in place which are increasing collaboration, efficiency and resilience across fire authorities 999 control room arrangements,' the spokesman added.

‘This includes better technology and faster and more reliable fall-back arrangements. The programme is now on schedule and on budget and will produce £126m savings for taxpayers by 2021-22.