National Audit Office publications

Ordnance Survey Accounts 1999-2000

“The National Topographic Database is a unique national asset, the creation of which has been funded from public money over the years.

“Because I disagree with the view taken by the Ordnance Survey on the appropriate accounting treatment for this database, I have qualified my opinion on the Agency’s first set of accounts as a Trading Fund. The failure by the Ordnance Survey to recognise the database as a tangible fixed asset means that the Agency’s accounts do not provide Parliament with a true and fair view of the publicly owned assets under the Agency’s stewardship.

“Finally, and speaking more broadly, at a time when Ministers have decided, and Parliament has endorsed, that all central government departments and agencies should move to a new regime of resource accounts, wherein more attention is to be paid to the valuation of assets than had ever been the practice under the old style cash accounts, it is surprising to find an important body like Ordnance Survey seeking to turn its back on the thrust of the new approach.”

Sector(s): National security

Published:
20 Dec 2000

The National Blood Service

“The availability of blood is essential to the NHS and many people owe their lives to transfusions that were made possible by voluntary donations of blood. The National Blood Service has had to change the blood service from a regional to a national one, cope with the emergence of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and, at the same time, maintain supplies to hospitals of sufficient safe blood.

This process of change has been accompanied by some controversy and appeared to lose momentum at one stage. But the indications are that the Service has made good progress towards providing an effective national service.”

Sector(s): Health and social care

Published:
20 Dec 2000

The Financial Analysis for the London Underground Public Private Partnerships

“London Underground and the Secretary of State should not take a decision solely on the basis of the numbers emerging from their financial analysis. There are other important factors that need to be considered alongside the figures to assess the best value for money option.”

Sector(s): Infrastructure, Private Finance, Transport

Published:
15 Dec 2000

Inland Revenue: Petroleum Revenue Tax

“My report provides a large measure of assurance about the Inland Revenue’s administration of petroleum revenue tax. I endorse the Department’s policy of continuing to develop its risk-based approach to the tax. Closer working with other government agencies and regular assessment of performance will help ensure that resources remain focused on areas of higher risk.”

Sector(s): Tax

Published:
14 Dec 2000

The Radiocommunications Agency’s Joint Venture With CMG

“The partnership entered into by the Agency demonstrates that public sector bodies can produce innovative solutions to traditional problems. The project demonstrates that, properly managed, risk taking and innovation can lead to improved value for money for taxpayers.”

Sector(s): Business and enterprise, Private Finance

Published:
8 Dec 2000

Office of Water Services: Leakage and Water Efficiency

Sir John Bourn, head of the National Audit Office, told Parliament today that, since the 1995 drought, leakage in England and Wales has been reduced by some 1.8 million cubic metres a day, equivalent to the amount of water used daily by more than 12 million people. The National Audit Office examined how the Office … Read more

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

Published:
1 Dec 2000

Ministry of Defence: Major Projects Report 2000

“I welcome the encouraging signs that the Ministry of Defence is improving cost control on major projects and in future Major Projects Report I will look to see that this improvement is sustained. It is also reassuring that the Ministry of Defence is expecting to meet the technical requirements for new equipment for the Armed Forces. However, that equipment is not always available on time is a concern and it is disappointing that the average project delay is getting longer. The Ministry of Defence must translate the improvements on cost that are coming through under Smart Acquisition to time as well and must reduce project delays.”

Sector(s): National security

Published:
22 Nov 2000

Museum of Wales Accounts 1998-99

Sir John Bourn, head of the National Audit Office, today reported to Parliament that in October 1998 the National Museum of Wales made an irregular payment to Mr Tim Arnold, their departing Assistant Director (Resource Management).

Sector(s): Arts, media and sport, Devolved Administrations

Published:
19 Nov 2000

Millennium Commission Accounts 1999-2000

Sir John Bourn, head of the National Audit Office, today reported to Parliament on the 1999-2000 account of the Millennium Commission, without qualifying his audit opinion on those accounts. The full text of his report is attached.

Sector(s): Arts, media and sport

Published:
13 Nov 2000

The Millennium Dome

“Building and opening the Millennium Dome on the very short timescale required was a tremendous achievement. But the New Millennium Experience Company has experienced severe financial difficulties this year and has required considerable additional lottery funding.

“The main cause of these difficulties is the failure to achieve the visitor numbers and income required. The targets were highly ambitious and inherently risky leading to a significant degree of financial exposure on the project. In addition, the task of managing the project has been complicated by the complex organisational arrangements put in place from the outset, and by the failure to establish sufficiently robust financial management.”