The tax gap is the difference between the amount of tax that should, in theory, be paid to HMRC, and what is actually paid. The tax gap arises for a number of reasons covering a wide range of behaviours from simple errors to evasion. According to HMRC’s analysis, the tax gap for 2017-18, the latest … Read more
The Department for Work & Pensions has introduced Universal Credit (UC) to replace 6 means-tested benefits with a single payment. The benefits being replaced are: Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Working Tax Credit. The National Audit Office has carried out several Value … Read more
In 2019, the United Kingdom exported £698.7 billion of goods and services to overseas countries. Government’s export strategy sets out how it will support businesses to make the most of opportunities presented by markets around the world and sets a new national ambition to raise exports as a proportion of GDP from 30% to 35%. … Read more
In September 2019, the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government published its selection of 101 towns and cities across England that it regarded as struggling economically. It invited them to develop proposals for a Town Deal – a plan to increase economic growth, with a focus on regeneration, improved transport, better broadband connectivity, skills … Read more
In our previous report Overview of the UK government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we signalled our intention to report on how government has managed risks created by its response to the crisis, including with respect to procurement and supply chains for items such as ventilators. This new investigation will set out the facts about the government’s efforts to rapidly increase the number of … Read more
There are around 250 further education colleges and sixth-form colleges in England. Between them, they educate and train over 2 million learners, in a wide range of academic and vocational subjects. Colleges form an important part of the local and national education infrastructure. They are autonomous bodies, free to make their own educational and financial … Read more
In our previous report Overview of the UK government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we signalled our intention to report on how government has managed the risks created by its response to the crisis. This new investigation will look at the government’s Bounce Back Loan Scheme. It will describe the schemes purpose and how it functions; performance to date; and … Read more
On 31 January 2020, the United Kingdom (UK) left the European Union (EU). There is now a transition period until the end of 2020 while the UK and EU negotiate additional arrangements. The current rules on trade, travel and business for the UK and EU continue to apply during the transition period. The government is … Read more
The use of cash has declined in recent years, as many people have increasingly turned to alternative payment methods. The study will examine how well public authorities are overseeing and managing the cash system. It will cover the roles of HM Treasury, the Bank of England, the Royal Mint, the Payment Systems Regulator and the … Read more
On 31 March 2020, as part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department for Education launched a voucher scheme to help give the 1.4 million children in England eligible for free school meals continued access to meals while they were not attending school. Schools joining the scheme can order shopping vouchers worth £15 … Read more
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is vital for preventing and controlling the spread of infection in health and care settings. It needs to be readily available, effective and supported by clear guidance covering the circumstances of its use. In our report Overview of the UK government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we signal an intention to report on how government has managed risks created by its response to the crisis, including with respect … Read more
One in five children aged 11 are obese, and the proportion of 10-11-year-old children classified as obese increased from 17.5% to 20.1% between 2006-07 and 2017-18. Obesity often results in lower life expectancy and a higher chance of suffering from cancer, diabetes and other health problems. NHS England estimates that the NHS spent £6.1bn on … Read more
