The Ministry of Defence detects, prevents and recovers only a small amount of the fraud it potentially faces. A smarter approach to tackling fraud and economic crime could save it millions and boost the UK’s defence capability. Read our report ⬇️ nao.org.uk/reports/mods...

Read our learnings and insights from more than 400 financial audits. Many government departments, other agencies and organisations experience the same challenges, such as data & reporting quality, IT controls, and asset management Report: nao.org.uk/insights/aud...

We've published our latest overview of the Department of Health & Social Care. Our 2024-25 report looks at how DHSC spent £219.2 billion, its plans to improve NHS productivity, wider changes and key risks facing the department. Our overview ⬇️ www.nao.org.uk/overviews/de...

Only a handful of tickets remaining for this Thursday's event at the @nao.org.uk 📅 Thurs 22 January Kate Eves • Julian Blake • Philip Armitage • Jenny George • Emma Willson 🎟️Claim your ticket today: bit.ly/4r1ZDVM

HM Treasury's regulation Action Plan aims to drive economic growth and save £5.6 billion a year by 2030 by cutting administrative burdens. Our new report examines the progress made in implementing the Action Plan so far. Read the full report here: nao.org.uk/reports/regu...

The New Hospital Programme now has a more realistic timetable, with final hospitals due in 2045–46. But for RAAC-affected hospitals, a tight construction schedule with little contingency for delays means there are significant delivery risks. Our report: nao.org.uk/reports/upda...

Our 2024-25 BBC overview looks at: • where and how the BBC Public Service Broadcasting spent £4.5 billion • an update on BBC audience figures • what to look out for, such as the review of the BBC's Royal Charter Read our overview for more ⤵️ www.nao.org.uk/overviews/de...

Our 2024-25 Department for Culture, Media & Sport overview looks at: • where & how DCMS spent £7.6 billion • DCMS sectors’ contribution to the UK economy • what to look out for, such as the 2026 Commonwealth Games Read our overview for more ⤵️ www.nao.org.uk/overviews/de...

As Defra, the Environment Agency and @naturalengland.bsky.social embark on a period of reform they face several challenges. Our new report has recommendations to help them make new environmental regulation reforms a success. Read our report: www.nao.org.uk/reports/envi...

The total net expenditure for the Cabinet Office in 2024-25 was nearly £11 billion, with infected blood compensation payments being the largest cost. Read our full overview here 👇 www.nao.org.uk/overviews/ca...

We recently announced upcoming reports, including: • Update on Crown Estate’s arrangements for Royal residential leases • Upgrading the electricity transmission network Find out more ⤵️ www.nao.org.uk/work-in-progress/

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) supports businesses to invest, grow and export, and create jobs and opportunities. In 2024-25, it spent £2.15 billion (including financing). Read our overview of DBT⤵️ www.nao.org.uk/overviews/de...

Our overview of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) looks at: • where DSIT spends its money • its future spending commitments • its priorities for 2025-26 • the government’s approach to cyber security • managing risk to support innovation ⤵️ www.nao.org.uk/overviews/de...

The Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency is facing challenges in addressing long wait times for practical driving tests. Wait times were at 22 weeks in September 2025, and the target of 7 weeks is not expected to be hit until November 2027. Our report 👇 www.nao.org.uk/reports/inve...

Our latest overview of the Ministry of Defence looks at: • the MoD's ambitions as set out in the Strategic Defence Review • financial management and the qualification of the 2024-25 Annual Report and Accounts • its management of major projects Read our overview⤵️ www.nao.org.uk/overviews/mi...

The C&AG has provided a clean opinion on the Department for Health & Social Care financial statements for the first time since 2018-19. Read more⬇️ www.nao.org.uk/reports/depa...

The @bankofengland.bsky.social navigated complex risks to deliver its Real-Time Gross Settlement renewal programme. The Bank's successful delivery achieved: ✅ value for money ✅ good practice in digital transformation ✅ lessons for other major projects Our report: www.nao.org.uk/reports/bank...

Our 2024-25 overview of Defra looks at: • where and how Defra spent £5.5bn and its future spending commitments • Defra's progress on its five priority outcomes • our insights into Defra's financial management, productivity and resilience Read ⤵️ www.nao.org.uk/overviews/de...

Short-term fixes in the asylum system have shifted pressures - creating new backlogs, wasting public funds and harming life chances. We’ve mapped the asylum system to show where delays occur, and set out 4 requirements for an effective system. Report: www.nao.org.uk/reports/an-a...

We recently announced an upcoming report on the resilience of the UK food supply chain to disruptions. Find out more here ⤵️ www.nao.org.uk/work-in-prog...

GPs don't provide enough support for people diagnosed with frailty.   Just 1 in 6 patients aged 65+ were assessed for frailty in 2024-25. We recommend @england.nhs.uk sets out clear & consistent requirements to assess & support people living with frailty.   ➡️ www.nao.org.uk/reports/prim...

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) leads the UK's diplomatic, development and consular work around the world. In 2024-25, FCDO spent £12.5 billion against a budget of £12.9 billion, a 3% increase on last year. Read our overview of FCDO here ⬇️ www.nao.org.uk/overviews/fo...

Our 2024-25 Ministry of Justice overview looks at: • where & how MoJ spent £15.5 billion • the increasing demand for justice services • performance and productivity across the department Read our overview for more ⤵️ www.nao.org.uk/overviews/mi...

The government is implementing new annual climate-related reporting requirements in central government, aiming to improve transparency and accountability. Our new report has recommendations to support the implementation of these new requirements. Report: www.nao.org.uk/reports/impl...

We recently announced upcoming reports, including: • Electronic monitoring: responding to increasing demand • Investigation into shared ownership • FCDO’s response to humanitarian crises  Find out more ⤵️ www.nao.org.uk/work-in-prog...

Our 2024-25 overview of the Department for Work & Pensions looks at: • where & how DWP spent £298bn • estimated levels of benefit overpayments, including Carer's Allowance • our insights into DWP's financial management, productivity & resilience Read our overview ⤵️ www.nao.org.uk/overviews/de...

We've published our latest overview of Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government. In 2024-25, MHCLG spent £46.2 billion, of which: • £34 billion was allocated to Local Government • £12 billion was allocated to Housing and Communities Read more ⬇️ www.nao.org.uk/overviews/mi...

Government doesn't know how departments are using consultants, or how much they cost, which could delay ambitions to spend less on external consultants. Our lessons learned report: www.nao.org.uk/insights/gov... Good practice guide on working with consultants: www.nao.org.uk/insights/usi...

We recently announced upcoming reports, including: • Resilience of the UK food supply chain to disruptions • Financial audit insights 2025 Find out more ⬇️ www.nao.org.uk/work-in-prog...

BBC World Service has made savings of £47m since 2022, following spending reductions across the entire BBC. These savings have mainly been made through TV and radio closures, which has contributed to audience numbers falling by 52 million. Report: www.nao.org.uk/reports/the-...

The C&AG has provided a clean opinion on the Defra financial statements for the first time since 2018-19. He commends Defra and the Environment Agency for the progress they have made in asset data supporting their valuation of key infrastructure.   Read ⬇️ www.nao.org.uk/reports/defr...

We recently announced upcoming reports, including: • Regulating water, energy and broadband to protect consumers • Managing government’s financial investments: the Financial Transaction Control Framework Find out more ⤵️ www.nao.org.uk/work-in-prog...

National Savings and Investments raises funds for government by borrowing from savers who invest in products such as Premium Bonds. While digitally transforming its business, NS&I has faced cost increases, delays & procurement issues. Our report: www.nao.org.uk/reports/nati...

The Comptroller & Auditor General has qualified the Ministry of Defence's financial accounts for 2024-25. This is on the basis of both financial statements and regularity.   Find out more here: www.nao.org.uk/reports/mini...

Join our Building Trust in Markets webinar at 3pm on the 18th November to see hear how regulators can rebuild trust. With speakers from the FCA, Ofqual and the FRC, they'll share practical insights and proactive steps regulators can take. Register here⬇️ events.teams.microsoft.com/event/29b29c...

Our 2024-25 overview of the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero looks at: • what DESNZ spent £6.7 billion on • its approach to clean power and delivering net zero • its focus on improving resilience and productivity Read the overview ⤵️ www.nao.org.uk/overviews/de...

We recently announced an upcoming report on increasing construction skills. Find out more here ⤵️ www.nao.org.uk/work-in-prog...

In 2024-25, HMRC collected £875.9 billion in tax revenue, an increase of 3.9% on the last financial year. HMRC's spending also decreased, from £7.2 billion to £6.6 billion. Read our overview of HMRC 👇 www.nao.org.uk/overviews/hm...

Police forces need to improve productivity to respond to changing demands and meet government commitments like the neighbourhood policing guarantee. We have identified five barriers the Home Office must address to improve police productivity. Report: www.nao.org.uk/reports/poli...

Our latest overview of the Department for Transport looks at: • spending patterns and performance • major transport projects • key risks facing DfT and areas of focus for improved resilience and productivity Read it here: www.nao.org.uk/overviews/de...

Police forces are under growing pressure as crime evolves. This is putting strain on their finances, which may impact services in the long-term. Report director Oliver Lodge spoke to Times Radio: www.thetimes.com/radio/show/2... Read our report: www.nao.org.uk/reports/poli...

Police forces need to improve productivity to respond to changing demands and meet government commitments like the neighbourhood policing guarantee. We have identified five barriers the Home Office must address to improve police productivity. Read our report: www.nao.org.uk/reports/poli...

We recently published our 2024/25 audit certificates for:  • Cabinet Office • Ministry of Justice • Department for Culture, Media & Sport   You can find all of our published financial audits on our website: nao.org.uk/report_types...  

Councils spent £2.3 billion on home to school transport last year - £415 million more than budgeted. We recommend that upcoming SEND reforms consider implications for transport, so the whole system works better for children & their families.  Read more: www.nao.org.uk/reports/home...

Councils spent £2.3 billion on home to school transport last year - £415 million more than budgeted.   We recommend that upcoming SEND reforms consider implications for transport, so the whole system works better for children & their families.   Report: www.nao.org.uk/reports/home...

Government doesn't know how reliant it is on independent adult hospices for the provision of palliative and end-of-life care. With more people dying in England each year, the sustainability of independent hospices is of national importance. Read: www.nao.org.uk/reports/the-...

We recently announced upcoming reports, including: • Innovation in transport • Northern Powerhouse Rail Find out more ⤵️ www.nao.org.uk/work-in-prog...

Risks in the government’s plans to ease the Probation Service's workload must be actively managed to ensure it can rehabilitate offenders and protect the public, amid weak performance in the service. Our report ⬇️ www.nao.org.uk/reports/buil...

Benefit overpayments remain too high, but levels are reducing after a substantial rise during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our latest report looks at DWP's recent interventions to tackle this longstanding issue. Read the report here: www.nao.org.uk/reports/tack...

We've published our latest overview of the Department for Education (DfE). Our 2024-25 report looks at how DfE spent £95.5 billion, and the main risks it faces in ensuring resilient systems and increasing productivity. Our overview ⬇️ www.nao.org.uk/overviews/de...