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Work in Progress

NAO studies which are currently under way and details of their scope. For published work please see the Publications page.

Business and industry: BIS - Government’s support to business during the economic crisis
Our study will examine business support measures introduced by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills in response to the recession. The measures being examined include six support schemes, new support structures and other actions.

Children, Schools and Families: Raising the participation age

This study will examine the Department’s assessment of the changes that will be required to make the increase in the age of education participation successful, particularly for disengaged young people.

Communities, regions and regeneration: Regional Development Agencies - delivering success

This study will look at the effectiveness of the Regional Development Agencies in helping to deliver physical regeneration in their regions.

Cross-Government & Public Administration: Collaborative procurement across the public sector

This report will look at whether public bodies are making efficient decisions when deciding how to procure goods and services. It will also assess whether the Office of Government Commerce is doing enough to improve collaboration across the public sector.

Defence: The provision of multi-role tanker aircraft capability

The RAF currently has two fleets of air-to-air refuelling aircraft which can also carry cargo and personnel. This study will look at the Ministry of Defence's plans for multi-role tanker capability and the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft project.

Education and skills: The Academies Programme

Academies are all-ability state schools. This follow-up to our 2007 study will evaluate whether the Academies Programme is achieving sufficient improvement in school performance to justify its costs.

Environment, sustainability and rural affairs: Government funding for the development, demonstration and deployment of renewable energy technologies

The Government provides direct financial support for the development, demonstration and deployment of renewable energy technologies. Our study will examine the impact of this funding on the realisation of the Government’s renewable energy goals.

Environment, sustainability and rural affairs: DEFRA - Organic entry level scheme

Farms in England which are registered as organic, or are converting to organic farming methods can apply for grants from the Organic Entry Level Scheme. Our report will examine the delivery, regulation and likely impact of the Scheme.

Environment, sustainability and rural affairs: Environment Agency - Diffuse Pollution and Water Quality

Our study will examine whether the Environment Agency's efforts to tackle diffuse pollution have been effective at improving water quality in England and Wales.

Health and social care: Operational PFI Hospitals

This study will examine whether the NHS has robust systems in place to efficiently and accurately performance manage private sector providers, deliver good quality services for patients and value for money to the taxpayer.

Health and social care: Progress in Delivering the Cancer Reform Strategy
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.

Health and social care: Reducing health inequalities in deprived areas

This study will examine whether the Department of Health has developed an effective approach at the national and regional level to reduce health inequalities.

Health and social care: Urgent care - treating the severely injured

The study will address the key question of whether the NHS is providing value for money in the treatment and rehabilitation of patients who have suffered serious trauma.

International Affairs: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's management of its overseas estate

Our report will examine the FCO's flexibility in identifying, managing and adapting to demands upon its overseas estate. These include variability in geographical settings and political sensitivities, as well as evolving security requirements.

International affairs - DFID's contribution to poverty reduction through education

We look at reasons why students in developing countries do not complete primary education and the scope to improve the quality of education through better use of DFID resources.

Regulation and Regulators: Ofcom: The Effectiveness of Converged Regulation

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.

Science, technology and innovation: Educating the next generation of scientists
Our study will examine the supply of, and demand for, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills in England. It will examine the educational pipeline from school to university and beyond. Why do people choose to study STEM subjects?

Transport: Increasing passenger rail capacity

This study covers the roles of the Department for Transport and Office of the Rail Regulator in planning for new capacity. The report will also cover how much progress has been made in delivering trains and projects to increase capacity.

HM Treasury: Government's support to infrastructure projects during the economic crisis

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

Welfare and Benefits: Is the Department for Work and Pensions achieving value for money in its work to help claimants of incapacity benefits into employment?

Our report will assess whether the Department for Work and Pensions' 'Pathways to Work' programme is achieving value for money in its work to help incapacity benefit claimants.

Welfare and Benefits: Official Error in the Benefits System

This study follows on from the NAO's report on Management of Benefit Overpayment Debt, which highlighted the impact of errors in the Department's processing in relation to overpayments.