There are major risks the Department of Energy and Climate Change must address to achieve value for money from its £11.3 billion national programme to install ‘smart’ electricity and gas meters in all homes and smaller non-domestic premises in Great Britain from 2014 to 2019.
DEFRA has delivered some value from the £39.3 million spent on its geographic information strategy and activities. However, a lack of financial information means that the NAO cannot determine that value for money has been achieved.
The NAO has published its report on the 2010-11 accounts of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
The NAO has published its report on the 2010-11 accounts of the Rural payments Agency.
Defra needs good cost information to scrutinise and challenge its arm’s length bodies, so that it can reduce costs with minimal disruption to frontline services.
A briefing on delivery of the target to reduce central government’s office carbon emissions by 10 per cent in the 12 months since the 2010 General Election.
This Departmental Overview is one of 17 we have produced covering our work on each major government department. It summarises our work on the Department for Energy and Climate Change during 2010-2011.
This Departmental Overview is one of 17 we have produced covering our work on each major government department. It summarises our work on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs during 2010-2011.
Giving greater responsibility and discretion to local authorities to identify flood risk and target investment raises significant challenges, especially during a time of budget cuts and other newly devolved responsibilities. Greater value for money can be achieved through these reforms, but key elements of what is required are not yet in place.
Despite the fact that the Defra has made improvements in its financial management, the NAO cannot yet conclude that the Department is achieving value for money in its financial management activity.
