Progress in setting up combined authorities
For combined authorities to deliver real progress they will need to demonstrate that they can drive economic growth and contribute to public sector reform.
Published:
6 Jul 2017
6 Jul 2017
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Accountability in local service delivery
As part of central government's decision to give more power to Councils and other local bodies (eg in healthcare), local organisations now decide how to spend hundreds of billion each year. Parliament and the public expect this spending to be efficient and effective and achieve the intended aims. Central government sets these aims, while local organisations decide how to spend the funding based on local needs and priorities. The public must be told how the money is spent and what outcomes have been achieved so that local electorates can be sure the money is spent well and can question decisions.
Central government must also be sure that the spending is achieving the desired outcomes and value for money. It is also responsible for protecting customers and making sure that where services fail, customers can get redress, including from local government and health Ombudsmen.
Key NAO publications: Public service markets: Putting things right when they go wrong (Jun 2015); and Local government funding: Assurance to Parliament (Jun 2014)
Accountability to Parliament for taxpayers’ money
The incentives on government Accounting Officers to prioritise value for money are weak compared to those associated with the day-to-day job of satisfying Ministers.
Published:
23 Feb 2016
23 Feb 2016
Public service markets: Putting things right when they go wrong
Over 10 million people who used public services (about 1 in 5) in the UK last year faced problems with the services. Detriment can and does occur. But users find the complaints and redress systems confusing.
Published:
17 Jun 2015
17 Jun 2015
Children in care
The Department for Education is not meeting its objectives to improve the quality of care and the stability of placements for children in care.
Published:
27 Nov 2014
27 Nov 2014
Planning for the Better Care Fund
The Better Care Fund is an innovative idea but the quality of early preparation and planning did not match the scale of the ambition. Current plans forecast £314m of savings for the NHS rather than the £1 billion in early planning assumptions.
Published:
11 Nov 2014
11 Nov 2014
Local government funding: Assurance to Parliament
The Department has increased local authorities’ flexibility over their funding, but as a result has less information on how funds are being spent.
Published:
25 Jun 2014
25 Jun 2014
Monitor: Regulating NHS foundation trusts
Monitor has achieved value for money in regulating NHS foundation trusts, and has generally been effective in helping trusts in difficulty to improve.
Published:
26 Feb 2014
26 Feb 2014
Police accountability: Landscape review
The new policing oversight framework has been in place for a year but already there are gaps in the system with the potential to undermine accountability both to the Home Office and the public.
Published:
22 Jan 2014
22 Jan 2014
Managing the transition to the reformed health system
Although new organisations set up as part of the reformed health system were ready to start functioning on time, the transition to the system is not yet complete.
Published:
10 Jul 2013
10 Jul 2013