A National Audit Office report today highlights the lessons arising from the case of a farmer who committed one of the largest known frauds by an individual claiming subsidy under Common Agricultural Policy schemes in England. In October 2000 Joseph Bowden was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment for nine charges relating to false accounting and […]
Sir John Bourn, head of the National Audit Office, today reported to Parliament on the problems in the administration of the Sheep Annual Premium Scheme in England which led to the European Commission refusing to reimburse £27 million in respect of payments to farmers in England for 1993 to 1996. The report examines how the […]
The public sector could save annually over £220 million in food and catering costs by 2010-11, while raising nutritional standards and increasing sustainability, Sir John Bourn, head of the National Audit Office, has reported today. In particular, there is significant scope for improvement by increasing joined up procurement, implementing good practice, enhancing the roles and […]
Sir John Bourn, head of the National Audit Office, reported today on the mixed success with which the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is transposing European legislation uinto UK law and preparing for its implementation. Defra deals with more European legislation than any other government department, and its mixed success demonstrates how […]
This report identifies lessons from the management and performance of the packaging recycling obligation system.
Sir John Bourn, head of the National Audit Office, reported today that the Department for Education and Skills has made a good start to its long-term strategy to improve the levels of adult literacy and numeracy in England, but there are more challenges ahead. While the Skills for Life Strategy has met its 2004 target, […]
The NAO have compiled this briefing for the Environmental Audit Committee in support of the inquiry it is undertaking on the impact of UK overseas aid on environmental protection and climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Sir John Bourn, head of the National Audit Office, told Parliament today that, since the 1995 drought, leakage in England and Wales has been reduced by some 1.8 million cubic metres a day, equivalent to the amount of water used daily by more than 12 million people. The National Audit Office examined how the Office […]
In November 2001, Customs produced estimates for the first time of the revenue loss from frauds on petrol and diesel. Customs estimated that in 2000 the loss could be between £450 million and £980 million in the UK, compared to revenue receipts of £22.6 billion on oils duties. Of this, diesel frauds on the UK […]
This report examines the effectiveness of regulations to ensure that food is safe and is what it says it is.
Our study evaluates how far the government has an effective system for measuring progress towards its environmental objectives.
Executive Agencies can improve how they set targets and do more to ensure that their initiatives are leading to better delivery of services, Sir John Bourn, the Head of the National Audit Office reported today. He presented to Parliament four reports which assess how agencies are seeking to improve public services. Executive Agencies need to […]
This National Audit Office briefing gives an overview of government’s approach to improving air quality in the UK. It has been prepared in support of a joint inquiry by the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC), the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee, the Health Committee and the Transport Committee. It examines why air quality matters; the UK’s plan for improving air quality; and risks and success factors for delivery of government’s air quality plans.
16 November 2017
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a scheme to encourage a switch from fossil fuel heating systems to renewable and low-carbon alternatives in homes and business premises in Great Britain. Our report assesses the value for money of the RHI for Great Britain.
Executive Summary
This briefing has been prepared for the Energy and Climate Change Committee as an overview of the performance of the Department of Energy and Climate Change in the financial year 2008-09 and subsequent months.
This is our second report on the progress Defra has made in preparing for EU Exit.
This briefing has been prepared for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee to provide an overview of the work and performance of the Department in the financial year 2008-09 and subsequent months.