In 2007, the five UK audit agencies jointly launched a set of indicators for each of five corporate service activities – estates management, finance, human resources, ICT, and procurement. Two further services were subsequently added – communications and legal.
Better access to public information can improve accountability and service delivery. Government needs a firm grasp of whether that potential is being realised.
Being able to measure performance is a key step to managing performance. Most organisations in the public and private sectors use formal performance frameworks as a means to secure coherent performance management and report progress to their boards.
The Government’s ability to show that its spending decisions represent the best value for money is being hindered by the patchy availability of good information.
Option appraisal is crucial to ensure Government decisions are fully informed and based on robust evidence. Appraisals can be applied at project, programme or policy levels, and have particular value when there is pressure to reduce costs while minimising effects on frontline services or the wider economy.
We have reported regularly through our Value for Money audit programme that more effective risk management would enable departments to be better informed in their decisions, have a greater likelihood of meeting their aims and objectives, and help them to avoid costly mistakes.
This review examines whether the Department for Transport has in place suitable arrangements to secure value for money from Regional Funding Allocation Programme investment.
Two government programmes aiming to help families with multiple challenges, such as unemployment and anti-social behaviour, are starting to provide benefits but considerable challenges remain.
The competition to let this franchise lacked oversight. The full cost to the taxpayer is unknown, but likely to be significant.
The MOD acted promptly to revert to the decision to buy the vertical take-off version of the Joint Strike Fighter but will have to manage significant risks.
The National Audit Office has published a survey report on the performance reporting arrangements between 41 NDPBs and their 12 sponsor departments.
The HS1 project has delivered a high performing line, which was subsequently sold in a well-managed way. But international passenger numbers are falling far short of forecasts and the project costs exceed the value of journey time saving benefits.
A third of major government projects due to deliver in the next five years are rated as in doubt or unachievable unless action is taken to improve delivery. Greater transparency on project performance is required.
In its final review of the quality of the data systems used by departments to measure progress against PSAs, the NAO underlines the vital importance of measuring government performance.
This report sets out good practice in developing a performance framework, reporting performance information, and ensuring performance information is used. Based on a survey and case studies, the report includes a model that organisations can apply to evaluate the maturity of their own performance system.
In June 2015, the Secretary of State for Transport announced that two large rail electrification schemes would be paused because the rail investment portfolio was costing more and taking longer.
This report focuses on the role of the centre of government in supporting government departments’ oversight of arm’s-length bodies.
This report examines if government is achieving its ambition for the public sector to be a leader in decarbonising its activities.
Gareth Davies, the Comptroller and Auditor General of the National Audit Office, has reported on the 2020-21 accounts of HM Revenue & Customs.
The provision of support for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan is made more difficult because they operate in remote locations and harsh conditions. A report today from the National Audit Office finds that, despite the challenging operational environments, the MOD has successfully delivered around 300,000 personnel and 90,000 tonnes of freight to Iraq and Afghanistan […]