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.
This is the second report on Agile delivery in which we aim to provide practical support to those in publicly funded bodies who are using or considering using the approach in business change programmes.
The 2011 DfID review of the £3.6bn spent through multilateral organisations (such as the UN) is a significant step towards achieving value for money.
We publish the results of our investigation into the contracting out of language services in the justice system.
This is the first report on Agile delivery in which we aim to provide practical support to those in publicly funded bodies who are using or considering using the approach in business change programmes.
This Fact Sheet highlights areas of good practice in preparing Whole of Government Accounts returns, including what should be provided to external auditors. It may also be used by audit committees as part of their governance arrangements over financial reporting.
Defra should continue to fund the Agency to complete this programme to improve the management of animal disease and secure the full benefits of the new ICT.
Both organisations have achieved cost reduction and performance improvement, but poor planning and delayed delivery of projects hampered progress.
BIS needs more coherent planning, rather than short-term fire fighting, to meet its spending review challenges and deliver better value for money.
The Pensions Regulator and other agencies regulating defined contribution pension schemes should take a concerted approach towards collecting evidence and assessing risks to members.
The NHS delivered a £2.1bn surplus in 2011-12 but there is some financial distress in NHS trusts with some very large deficits.
The Programme launch has been successful, however key risks remain such as the planned delivery of new homes towards the end of the programme period.
The NAO, Better Regulation Executive and the Better Regulation Delivery Office have published a survey into businesses’ perception of regulation.
The report finds variations in health outcomes across the four nations, and will help health departments examine how better value for money could be achieved.
The MOD is buying more inventory than it uses and not consistently disposing of stock it no longer needs using money that could be spent elsewhere.
Investment of £110bn in electricity infrastructure is needed by 2020 to meet increase in demand, to provide back-up capacity, and because of scheduled closure of one fifth of existing capacity.
Using competition to award companies licences to transmit electricity from offshore wind farms has benefits but consumers might end up bearing the cost of inflation.
Internal audit costs government around £70 million each year, but quality varies and it is poor value for money.
Following review by a former tax judge, the NAO concludes that all five settlements were reasonable but there is concern over the settlement processes.
Central government needs to have better engagement with local government, particularly as more services are devolved.