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Audit of Assumptions for the March 2000 Budget

Published:
21 Mar 2000

NHS (Wales) Summarised Accounts 1998-99

“I remain seriously concerned at the worsening deficits being incurred within the NHS in Wales. The NHS Directorate of the National Assembly for Wales must urgently address this by ensuring that robust recovery plans are in place”.

Sector(s): Devolved Administrations, Health and social care

Published:
16 Mar 2000

State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme: The failure to inform the public of reduced pension rights for widows and widower

“It is extraordinary how a simple error can have such severe consequences for individuals and for the taxpayer. And it is particularly alarming that the error could go unnoticed for so long. These were serious lapses in the standards of public administration and must not be repeated.”

Sector(s): Welfare, Pensions and Employment

Published:
16 Mar 2000

The Sheep Annual Premium Scheme in England

“I am pleased that the Ministry has in large measure addressed the problems of flock records and urge them to continue working with farmers to get it right. This will help to protect the taxpayer from the risk of losing reimbursement from European funds. It will also assist farmers in satisfying scheme rules so that they can get the benefit of a scheme which is providing valuable support at a time of crisis in the industry.”

Sector(s): Energy and environment, Food and farming

Published:
10 Mar 2000

Good Practice in Performance Reporting in Executive Agencies and Non-Departmental Public Bodies

“This is my first general report in this developing area, and has been written to contribute to the advancement of performance measurement and reporting in central government. The report includes a high level checklist on the quality and presentation of data in agency annual reports. I encourage Chief Executives to use the checklist for assessing how well they are monitoring and reporting their agencies’ performance.”

Sector(s): Government, efficiency and transparency

Published:
9 Mar 2000

Scottish Enterprise: Skillseekers Training for Young People

Scottish Enterprise’s Skillseekers programme had made considerable progress in delivering Vocational Qualifications for young people at reducing unit cost. There are, however, a number of ways that Scottish Enterprise and Local Enterprise Companies (LECs) can build on their successes, Sir John Bourn, head of the National Audit Office, reported to the Scottish Parliament today. Skillseekers … Read more

Sector(s): Devolved Administrations, Education and skills

Published:
1 Mar 2000

National Insurance Fund Account 1998-99

Section 161 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 requires me to examine and certify the National Insurance Fund Account and this report records the results of my examination of the 1998-99 account.

Sector(s): Tax

Published:
1 Mar 2000

Inpatient Admissions and Bed management in NHS acute hospitals

“This winter has reminded us again of how crucial it is that hospitals manage their bed stock effectively. We have found significant variations in performance between hospitals in admitting and discharging patients, and managing beds. Failing to place patients promptly in the most appropriate facilities, cancelling their admission, or delaying their discharge from hospital can cause enormous frustration and distress. More hospitals should follow the good practices we have highlighted to help improve the overall quality of service to patients.”

Sector(s): Health and social care

Published:
24 Feb 2000

Appropriation Accounts 1998-99 Volume 8: Class VIII – Lord Chancellor’s Department and Serious Fraud Office

“The Lord Chancellor’s Department has clearly made significant progress towards improving the checking of criminal legal aid applications though more remains to be done.I am disappointed, however, to have to report that financial control weaknesses in the Lord Chancellor’s Department and the incorrect accounting treatment by the Serious Fraud Office meant that both departments have exceeded the funds granted by Parliament and had to ask for further parliamentary authority to approve their expenditure.”

Sector(s): Law and the justice system

Published:
23 Feb 2000

Appropriation Accounts 1998-99 Volume 16: Class XVI – Departments of the Chancellor of the Exchequer

“The Revenue Departments collected over £220 billion tax in 1998-99. With such large sums at stake, it is important that the tax system operates effectively. I am therefore pleased to advise Parliament that my examination confirmed that the Department’s systems continued to provide an effective check on the assessment and collection of revenue”.