The UK bears the ultimate risk of potential liabilities from its overseas territories such as Anguilla, Montserrat and the Falkland Islands; and, while progress has been made in managing and mitigating these risks since the last report by the National Audit Office in 1997, there is room for improvement, the NAO has reported today. The […]
In the 25 Year Environment Plan, government identified regulation as one of the key mechanisms to achieve its environmental goals. Through different regulatory bodies, Defra is already delivering a range of regulatory interventions. This study will examine how regulation is contributing towards the delivery of government’s environmental objectives.
The Cabinet Office estimates that government commits around £130 billion to grants each year – nearly 20% of all government spend. Grants are an important delivery mechanism for policy across government, not just centrally but also in agencies, local authorities and other bodies across the public sector.
The European Commission and Member States have made progress in strengthening the financial management of European Union funds, according to a report today from the National Audit Office. But for the thirteenth year in a row the European Court of Auditors (ECA) did not provide a positive Statement of Assurance on the legality and regularity […]
The Department for International Development’s (DFID’s) use of budget support is helping developing country governments to build their capacity and expand basic services. But, according to a report out today by the National Audit Office, evidence on whether budget support has yielded better value for money than other forms of aid is not conclusive. While […]
This report examines government’s progress with its programme of trade negotiations since the UK’s departure from the EU.
The NAO Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20 provides details about our work and performance.
The Department for Business, Skills and Innovation has not used good quality information to decide which science capital projects to invest in to optimise scientific and economic benefits.
This briefing complements the Departmental Overview prepared for the Department for International Development and covers specific topics of particular interest to the International Development Committee, including trends in DFID’s expenditure and total UK Official Development Assistance; and the Department’s progress in managing the delivery of the government’s target to spend 0.7 per cent of gross national income on UK Official Development Assistance in 2013.
This report looks at the set-up of the UK infrastructure Bank, including HM Treasury’s planning before launch.
This report examines Department for International Trade (DIT) and UK Export Finance (UKEF) progress and performance in supporting UK exports.
HMRC has a special unit to collect tax from high net worth individuals who are those with assets of £20m or more. While this special unit gives it a better understanding of the tax affairs and behaviours of these taxpayers it needs to evaluate what approaches are the most effective and to understand the outcome it achieves.
This briefing by the National Audit Office is designed to support the International Development Committee’s inquiry into the Department for International Development’s Multilateral Aid Review (MAR).
Skills Funding Agency accounts qualified as £50m paid in advance to FE Colleges
The Department for Transport agreed to make a £30m grant towards construction of the Garden Bridge despite its concerns over value for money. The NAO’s review does not assess the value for money of the project as a whole.
This report looks at the Office for Student’s responsibilities for financial regulation of higher education providers.
The Ministry of Defence has made significant improvements in its management of and accounting for assets held on its inventory systems. However, the Department recognizes that it still faces significant challenges.
Payment by results (PbR) schemes are hard to get right, and are risky and costly for commissioners. Credible evidence for claimed benefits of PbR is now needed.
The NAO has reported on the 2021-22 accounts of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).