The Ministry of Justice has made progress in improving its financial management, but currently falls short of best practice in the consistency of its financial management approach, its understanding of its costs and the integration of its financial management systems and processes.
The Department of Health has made a serious attempt to tackle health inequalities across England. But, having set a target in 2000 to reduce health inequalities, it was slow to take action and health inequalities were not a top priority for the NHS until 2006.
Impact Assessments, used to assess the need for and the likely impact of proposed government policy interventions, do not yet consistently provide a sound basis for assessing the merits of different policy proposals. Further improvement in the quality and use of Impact Assessments is needed to achieve value for money.
HMRC has taken significant steps to improve the efficiency of National Insurance administration, but needs to demonstrate more clearly that it is providing value for money from the £350 million it spends each year and take advantage of opportunities to secure further savings.
Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 covering the period 2008-2011
Review of the data systems for Public Service Agreement 28 led by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: ‘Secure a healthy environment for today and the future’
The use of PFI by local authorities to improve housing, usually in areas with a high need for housing and where stock condition is particularly poor, has had a measure of success. However, risks to value for money of the programme have not been managed.
DFID has successfully supported developing countries in progress against goals of universal enrolment in primary education and improved educational prospects for girls. However, more emphasis on quality and cost-effectiveness is important.
Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 covering the period 2008-2011
Review of the data systems for Public Service Agreement 2 led by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills: ‘Improve the skills of the population, on the way to ensuring a world-class skills base by 2020’
Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 covering the period 2008-2011
Review of the data systems for Public Service Agreement 4 led by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills: ‘Promote world class science and innovation in the UK’
Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 covering the period 2008-2011
Review of the data systems for Public Service Agreement 1 led by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills: ‘Raise the productivity of the UK economy’
Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 covering the period 2008-2011
Review of the data systems for Public Service Agreement 6 led by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills: ‘Deliver the conditions of business success in the UK’
Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 covering the period 2008-2011
Review of the data systems for Public Service Agreement 7 led by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills: ‘Improve the economic performance of all English regions and reduce the gap in economic growth rates between regions’
Most PFI hospital contracts are well-managed and the evidence indicates that they are currently achieving the value for money expected when the contracts were signed. There continue to be risks, however, to the long-term value for money of these contracts.
Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 covering the period 2008-2011
Review of the data systems for Public Service Agreement 12 led by the Department for Education: ‘Improve the health and well-being of children and young people’
Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 covering the period 2008-2011
Review of the data systems for Public Service Agreement 14 led by the Department for Education: ‘Increase the number of children and young people on the path to success’
Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 covering the period 2008-2011
Review of the data systems for Public Service Agreement 13 led by the Department for Education: ‘Improve children and young people’s safety’
Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 covering the period 2008-2011
Review of the data systems for Public Service Agreement 18 led by the Department of Health: ‘Promote better health and wellbeing for all’
Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 covering the period 2008-2011
Review of the data systems for Public Service Agreement 22 led by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport: ‘Deliver a successful Olympic Games and Paralympic Games with a sustainable legacy and get more children and young people taking part in high quality PE and sport’
Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 covering the period 2008-2011
Review of the data systems for Public Service Agreement 10 led by the Department for Education: ‘Raise the educational achievement of all children and young people’