A Department for Work and Pensions programme to reduce the number of people claiming incapacity benefits and help them into work has had a limited impact and, while a serious attempt to tackle an intractable issue, has turned out to provide poor value for money.
The provision of support for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan is made more difficult because they operate in remote locations and harsh conditions. A report today from the National Audit Office finds that, despite the challenging operational environments, the MOD has successfully delivered around 300,000 personnel and 90,000 tonnes of freight to Iraq and Afghanistan […]
This study examines whether government understands what is needed to effectively identify and support vulnerable adolescents who are at risk of avoidable adverse outcomes, and who may need costly government interventions if their needs are not addressed.
This report assesses how well pupils with special educational needs and disabilities are being supported.
This report examines the government’s approach to investment in research and innovation to deliver net zero.
This report examines the Department’s support for children’s education during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The NAO’s report highlights that England’s special educational needs system is not delivering better outcomes for children and young people.
The National Audit Office has reported on the 2019-2020 Annual Report and Accounts of Supply Chain Coordination Limited.
Sir John Bourn, head of the National Audit Office, reported to parliament today that Regional Development Agencies have performed well in their first four years. In order to build on this success the relationship between RDAs and government must continue to evolve. The aim of the reports recommendations is to streamline bureaucracy and enable RDAs […]
The Better Regulation Executive is currently reviewing controls on regulation. This document is the National Audit Office’s submission to that review. It is based on a combination of our previous work and new work with five case study departments earlier this year.
BIS will not be well-placed to secure value for money on student loan repayments until it has a more robust strategy to improve collection performance.
Farm oversight activity does not deliver value for money for the taxpayer and continues to burden compliant farmers unnecessarily.
Head of the National Audit Office Sir John Bourn reported to Parliament today that he had given an unqualified audit opinion on the accounts of the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) for 2002-03. In his report, Sir John confirms that the SRA’s accounts incorporate the accounts of Network Rail Limited. This position reflects the view which […]
The Environment Agency has improved the cost effectiveness and prioritization of its flood risk spending but current spending is insufficient to meet many flood defence maintenance needs.
The Ministry of Defence does not place sufficient emphasis on financial management in its decision making. Annual financial plans at the MOD have been over-committed. During 2009-10 the Department had to find additional savings of £800 million to bring its planned expenditure back into line with its budgets.
The Ministry of Defence’s strategy for improving its financial management has put its finances on a sounder footing and is delivering results, but there are still considerable challenges ahead, including delivering the savings already removed from budget allocations.
Customs has moved quickly to tighten border controls against illegal imports of animal products from outside of the European Union, since taking over this enforcement role in April 2003. As a result, the number of seizures has more than doubled, Sir John Bourn, head of the National Audit Office, reported to Parliament today. He recommended that […]