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
This report examines the government’s plan for rehousing rough sleepers during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the longer-term.
In June 2019, the government passed legislation committing it to achieving ‘net zero’ greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This means that the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions should be equal to or less than the emissions the UK removes from the environment either by the natural environment or carbon capture technologies. Achieving net zero will … Read more
Upgrading or replacing legacy systems and improving information at the border through digital transformation programmes has been an ambition of the Home Office since the launch of its e-borders programme in 2003 (in 2015 we reported on E-borders and successor programmes). This new report assesses the Department’s progress in delivering its Digital Services at the … Read more
This report will cover government’s progress with securing access to potential vaccines and determining how they will be administered.
The Ministry of Defence (the Department) publishes its Equipment Plan report each year, setting out its intended investment on equipment and support projects over the next 10 years. It assesses whether this is affordable within its future budget. The Plan includes equipment already in use, such as the Lightning II jets, and in development, such … Read more
This initial report will review government’s implementation of test and trace to date.
The study will evaluate how effectively government identified and met the needs of vulnerable people.
Tax measures which have an environmental impact act alongside government’s wider environmental objectives. As these objectives have become more ambitious, the role of the tax system may become more important. HM Treasury’s 2020-21 review into funding the transition to a net zero greenhouse gas economy explicitly plans to “consider the full range of government levers, … Read more
This report will assess how the BBC has positioned itself to respond to its current financial challenges and opportunities.
In early 2021, we plan to publish an updated cost tracker to reflect developments since 7 August.
Under the Government of Wales Act 2006 the NAO produces an annual report for the Welsh Assembly on HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC’s) administration of the Welsh rate of income tax. This year, we will report on HMRC’s estimate of the revenue attributable to Wales during 2019-20, following the introduction of the Welsh rates of … Read more
Single Living Accommodation (SLA) is accommodation provided to single and unaccompanied service personnel, normally by means of a Mess or accommodation block. The effective management and maintenance of SLA is crucial to providing a suitable estate that meets both the needs of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and service personnel, and secures value for money … Read more
Under the Scotland Act 1998 the NAO produces an annual report for the Scottish Parliament on HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC’s) administration of Scottish income tax. This year we will be reporting on the calculation of the final revenue attributable to Scotland for 2018-19 under the Scottish income tax powers and HMRC’s estimate of the … Read more
The Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF) is a significant part of the government’s commitment to spend £4.7 billion on research and development over four years. The ISCF also supports the ambitions set out in the government’s Industrial Strategy. UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), established in April 2018, is responsible for implementing the ISCF, which is … Read more
There have been long-standing issues across the adult social care market, which COVID-19 has further impacted. These include increasing signs of market-stress, data limitations, and high staff vacancy rates and turnover levels. At the same time, there is an increasing demand for care due to an ageing and growing population with more complex needs, and … Read more
Transport is the UK’s largest source of carbon emissions and the bulk of these come from cars. Government wants people to switch to cars that do not emit carbon dioxide to eliminate emissions by 2050. By 2030, government wants between 50% and 70% of new cars to be ultra-low emission (plug in hybrids), and by … Read more
This report will set out DCMS’ objectives for funding to charities during the pandemic and whether it is meeting them.
Towards the end of March 2020, as part of the measures taken to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, schools closed to all pupils except vulnerable children and children of key workers. Some year groups returned to school in June, but most children did not return until September 2020. Therefore, for several months the majority of pupils … Read more
Our study will examine the evolving financial pressures on local government and the support provided from central government.
Public service pensions are a significant part of the pensions landscape in the UK. As at 31 March 2020 the major public service pension schemes had over 8 million members, including active and deferred members, and current pensioners. Most of the main public service pension schemes are unfunded, with benefits funded from current contributions on … Read more
This study will examine how well prepared the government was for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over many years the NAO has reported on delays and cost overruns across significant Ministry of Defence (MoD) equipment procurement programmes, such as boats 4-7 of the Astute attack submarine (£1 billion over budget) and the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carriers (£2.75 billion over budget). Our recent report Defence Capabilities: delivering what was promised, found that … Read more
This study will examine the value gained from the NHS’s arrangements with Nightingale and independent hospitals during the pandemic.
