National Audit Office publications

Youth Offending: the delivery of community and custodial sentences

“The Youth Justice Board has done much to implement reforms to the youth justice system, but more needs to be done to rehabilitate young offenders within the community to reduce risks of reoffending. The movement of young offenders from one institution to another can be unsettling for offenders, breaking developing relationships with those responsible for their supervision, and disrupting educational and other programmes intended to help prevent reoffending. Better assessment of custodial needs, and more recognition of offenders’ progress with their programmes when deciding who to move, would be beneficial.

“And better co-ordination by all agencies involved in supervising young offenders in the community or in providing appropriate support services for such young people would reduce uncertainty for some offenders about accommodation, education or employment on completion of their sentence.”

Sector(s): Children and families, Law and the justice system

Published:
21 Jan 2004

Out of Sight – Not Out of Mind: Ofwat and the Public Sewer Network in England and Wales

“While incidents of sewer flooding in properties are relatively rare, few could deny that it is highly distressing. This must be especially so for those who suffer repeat incidents. And the harm to the environment should not be dismissed. That is why I have made these recommendations to encourage the work that is already being done to reduce the risks of sewer flooding.”

Sector(s): Devolved Administrations, Energy and environment, Regulation, consumers and competition

Published:
16 Jan 2004

Northern Ireland Policing Board: Best Value Performance Plan for 2003-04

“This plan is a good first step in the arrangements for securing continuous improvement in the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of the work of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Policing Board. In future years I will monitor and report on the progress of these improvements.”

Sector(s): Devolved Administrations, Law and the justice system

Published:
14 Jan 2004

Refinancing the Public Private Partnership for National Air Traffic Services

Sir John Bourn, head of the National Audit Office, reported today that the refinancing of the public private partnership for NATS, completed late last year, has put the Company on a much more robust financial footing, enabling it to make further vital investment to expand the capacity of Air Traffic Control to meet future growth … Read more

Sector(s): Government, efficiency and transparency, Infrastructure, Private Finance, Transport

Published:
7 Jan 2004

Investigation into concerns raised by the William Pears Group about the conduct of the competition for the NHS Estates PPP

Published:
1 Jan 2004

Diversity Annual Report 2002 – 03

Published:
31 Dec 2003

HM Customs and Excise: Standard Report 2002-03

“I am pleased to note the innovative changes made by Customs to better manage their relations with key stakeholders. The developments to date reveal a number of areas of good practice, for instance, closer co-operation with and understanding of traders, and the provision of dedicated points of contact for large businesses. The key test, though, remains the extent to which these measures will improve revenue yields.

“The development of a longer term strategy to manage the risks of alcohol fraud is also to be welcomed, although Customs will need to ensure effective cross-departmental communication if it is to be successfully implemented.”

Sector(s): Tax

Published:
18 Dec 2003

Department of Work and Pensions: Departmental Resource Accounts 2002-2003

“The amount of welfare benefit being lost through fraud and error is continuing to run at an estimated £3 billion each year. Once again I must point out that Parliament intends that this money should go only to those who are properly entitled. The challenge which the Department faces in reducing the scale of fraud and error to an acceptable level is very large indeed. However, it is crucial that as much of the money as possible goes to those who are in real need.”

Sector(s): Welfare, Pensions and Employment

Published:
16 Dec 2003

Managing Resources to Deliver Better Public Services

“Good resource management is vital if departments are to meet their ambitious objectives and targets for service improvement. They need to review their resource management practices and make best use of the new information on service costs and the consumption of resources. Given the huge amounts of resources involved in Governmental programmes even a relatively small improvement in efficiency could release significant resources for frontline public services.”

Sector(s): Government, efficiency and transparency

Published:
12 Dec 2003

Ministry of Defence: Operation TELIC – United Kingdom Military Operations in Iraq

“It is not just the bravery of the men and women who took part in the military operations which should be applauded but also their abilities, their professionalism and their achievements. The scale of the operation and the speed with which it was carried out are both extremely impressive. There were problems, but these should be seen in the wider context of the overall success. The lessons in this report which the MOD can learn from will mean that its performance will be further improved in the future.”

Sector(s): International, National security

Published:
11 Dec 2003

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