http://www.nao.org.uk/ Latest National Audit Office news stories en-gb Sat, 20 Mar 2010 14:30:01 GMT Copyright National Audit Office 15 http://www.nao.org.uk http://www.nao.org.uk/images/new_design/nao_logo2.gif The service provided to students applying for finance in 2009 did not achieve value for money. There were major problems in the processing of applications and in communications with applicants. http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/student_finance.aspx http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/student_finance.aspx Fri, 19 Mar 2010 08:52:01 GMT Between May 2005 and June 2009, there were over 90 reorganisations to central government but these cannot demonstrate value for money, given that most had vague objectives and that costs and benefits were not tracked http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/reorganising_government.aspx http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/reorganising_government.aspx Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:41:47 GMT The NAO's Successful Commissioning Guidance aims to help local commissioners in the public sector get better value for money from third sector organisations (TSOs). http://www.nao.org.uk/guidance__good_practice/third_sector/successful_commissioning/launch.aspx http://www.nao.org.uk/guidance__good_practice/third_sector/successful_commissioning/launch.aspx Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:43:24 GMT This study follows up our 2006 report on the merger process which created Ofcom, the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries. http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/work_in_progress/ofcom_the_effectiveness_of_co.aspx http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/work_in_progress/ofcom_the_effectiveness_of_co.aspx Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:40:26 GMT There has been much public discussion about the affordability of public service pensions. To inform that debate, the NAO has today published a report designed to bring greater transparency to, and understanding of, the cash costs involved. http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/public_service_pensions.aspx http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/public_service_pensions.aspx Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:47:18 GMT More could be done to rehabilitate prisoners serving short sentences and reduce their risk of re-offending. The National Offender Management Service has little information on the quality, cost or effectiveness of its rehabilitation activities. http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/short_custodial_sentences.aspx http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/short_custodial_sentences.aspx Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:10:09 GMT The amount of harmful business waste sent to landfill has fallen. However, it is not possible to say how much of this reduction is down to a £240 million government programme. http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/business_waste.aspx http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/business_waste.aspx Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:13:24 GMT In 2009, the Treasury announced action to ensure that privately financed infrastructure projects would continue despite difficulties in raising debt finance in a global credit crunch. This study will examine the Treasury response to these difficulties. http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/work_in_progress/infrastructure_projects.aspx http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/work_in_progress/infrastructure_projects.aspx Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:49:21 GMT Government strategies to tackle problem drug use have made good progress in a number of areas. However, without an evaluative framework for the Strategy as a whole, the NAO is not able to conclude positively on value for money. http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/problem_drug_use.aspx http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/problem_drug_use.aspx Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:51:10 GMT The Olympic Delivery Authority has done well to keep its programme on track, and it is increasingly likely that the venues and infrastructure will be delivered on time and budget. Nevertheless, there is a long way to go. http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/2012_olympics.aspx http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/2012_olympics.aspx Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:56:47 GMT The BBC's Broadcasting House project will be completed four years later than planned and over budget. The BBC has since improved the management of the three projects examined, although there is room for further improvement. http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/bbc_estates.aspx http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/bbc_estates.aspx Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:29:45 GMT The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) lacks a clear strategy and comprehensive data to manage its overseas estate effectively. The FCO is taking steps to adapt its properties but has not achieved value for money in the management of its estate. http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/adapting_fco_estate.aspx http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/adapting_fco_estate.aspx Thu, 11 Feb 2010 09:19:45 GMT The clinical treatment and rehabilitation of service personnel seriously injured on military operations are highly effective. The rate of illness and minor injury among personnel on operations has almost doubled in three years, however. http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/injury_on_military_operations.aspx http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/injury_on_military_operations.aspx Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:47:41 GMT Get Safe Online and ThinkuKnow have achieved good value with limited resources, using cost effective means to disseminate advice. Government now needs to synchronise efforts to promote the initiatives as sources of advice about internet safety. http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/staying_safe_online.aspx http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/staying_safe_online.aspx Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:46:21 GMT Care for patients who have suffered major trauma has not significantly improved in the last 20 years. The NAO estimates that 450-600 lives could be saved each year in England if major trauma care was better managed. http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/major_trauma_care.aspx http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/major_trauma_care.aspx Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:57:45 GMT The Pension Protection Fund, which protects private sector pensions, has delivered value for money (VFM) in terms of investing efficiently and preparing for the impact of future claims. It must ensure that it continues to deliver VFM in the future. http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/pension_protection_fund.aspx http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/pension_protection_fund.aspx Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:23:49 GMT The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills' free advice for those in debt has helped more people, and at a lower cost per person, than planned. However, demand cannot be met, and support could be provided to more people through further efficiencies. http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/over-indebtedness_report.aspx http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/over-indebtedness_report.aspx Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:22:03 GMT The National Stroke Strategy has increased the priority and awareness of the condition and started to improve patients' care. But improvements have not been universal and improvements in follow-up care have not matched those of acute care services. http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/stroke.aspx http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/stroke.aspx Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:02:53 GMT An NAO review commissioned by the BBC Trust found that coverage of 5 of 6 major sporting and music events finished under budget or no more than 1% over budget. However, the NAO recommends that the BBC improve the way it commissions coverage of events. http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/bbc_coverage_of_major_events.aspx http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/bbc_coverage_of_major_events.aspx Wed, 03 Feb 2010 09:37:01 GMT This study will examine the mechanisms to deliver the Cancer Reform Strategy, including: use of information to improve quality and choice; stronger commissioning, and more efficient use of funding. http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/work_in_progress/cancer_services.aspx http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/work_in_progress/cancer_services.aspx Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:55:10 GMT