“The Inland Revenue took on significant additional responsibilities during 1999-00 and continues to manage a challenging change programme. New schemes, such as tax credits, have, in general, gone smoothly but the Department should ensure that action is taken to manage risks which have emerged during the implementation of some projects.”
Sir John Bourn, head of the National Audit Office, today reported to Parliament on the 1999-2000 account of the House of Commons: Works Services Appropriation Account. The full text of his report is attached.
“Customs have a difficult job to do in ensuring that the revenue is collected on imports and statutory requirements are met but without unduly inconveniencing importers. My report shows the Department could make their checks more effective and can improve the service they provide to importers still further.”
“I am concerned at the significant delays in achieving the final implementation of this database system by the dvla, particularly as its predecessor was known not to be millennium-compliant. The agency took a high-risk but necessary decision to implement the final phases in October 1999, before system testing was fully completed. In doing so, they avoided the breakdown of a key customer service to both enforcement agencies and the public.”
The report also comments positively on other aspects of the DVLA’s operations.
“I am glad that we are able to provide positive assurance about the way that the Department for Education and Employment handled the establishment of these new charitable bodies. Innovation such as the action zones programme carries risks and the department has taken the right steps to mitigate the financial risks in particular.
“The wider lessons learned from the establishment of the zones can be applied to other government programmes involving the setting up of innovative new bodies.”
Sir John Bourn, head of the National Audit Office, reported to Parliament today that the Royal Armouries* in July 1999 successfully negotiated a revised deal with Royal Armouries (International) plc** (“RAI”) which ensured that the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds remained open. The revised deal has also made it possible for the future redevelopment of … Read more
“In designing and implementing the gold sales programme so far the Treasury has done well. In its further review of the programme the Treasury should consider whether there are opportunities to strengthen the handling of the sales further.”
“With Government plans to increase infrastructure spending to £19 billion over the next three years, the need for widespread implementation of good practice now has a greater degree of urgency.
“This report highlights the urgent need for change in the procurement and management of new construction, refurbishment and repair and maintenance. The problems of the construction industry have been well described in the many reports on the industry, the solutions to many of these problems have been identified – there is now no excuse for not getting it right.
“I hope that my report will provide encouragement to those in the construction industry and their clients who are already changing and motivation to those who are finding the challenge more difficult.”
The Office of Government Commerce, the Treasury and the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions welcomed the NAO report for providing very real encouragement to those who were already working to change their construction practices.
Sir John Bourn, head of the National Audit Office, told Parliament today that since electricity supply competition began in September 1998 more than 6.5 million customers – one in four – have saved money by changing supplier. Domestic electricity customers as a whole have seen their electricity bills fall by some £750 million a year since … Read more
