National Audit Office
@nao.org.uk
We're the NAO, the UK's independent public spending watchdog. We help Parliament hold government to account.
Stay updated with our latest work here.
https://linktr.ee/nationalauditoffice
Stay updated with our latest work here.
https://linktr.ee/nationalauditoffice
We recently announced upcoming reports, including:
• Investigation into Child Benefit anti-fraud-and-error intervention
• Lessons learned: Government workforce planning
Find out more ⤵️
www.nao.org.uk/work-in-prog...
• Investigation into Child Benefit anti-fraud-and-error intervention
• Lessons learned: Government workforce planning
Find out more ⤵️
www.nao.org.uk/work-in-prog...
Work in progress - National Audit Office
Our schedule of future publications.
www.nao.org.uk
February 13, 2026 at 10:40 AM
We recently announced upcoming reports, including:
• Investigation into Child Benefit anti-fraud-and-error intervention
• Lessons learned: Government workforce planning
Find out more ⤵️
www.nao.org.uk/work-in-prog...
• Investigation into Child Benefit anti-fraud-and-error intervention
• Lessons learned: Government workforce planning
Find out more ⤵️
www.nao.org.uk/work-in-prog...
Reposted by National Audit Office
A step change in financial management in government is needed to drive better value public services
The head of @nao.org.uk gave his annual speech in Parliament yesterday, drawing on what we seen across our audits of government spending
Link to speech below
www.nao.org.uk/insights/ste...
The head of @nao.org.uk gave his annual speech in Parliament yesterday, drawing on what we seen across our audits of government spending
Link to speech below
www.nao.org.uk/insights/ste...
Here’s Gareth’s short summary of his speech in Parliament today.
You can watch the full speech or read the transcript here: www.nao.org.uk/insights/ste... 🎥📄
You can watch the full speech or read the transcript here: www.nao.org.uk/insights/ste... 🎥📄
February 11, 2026 at 8:16 AM
A step change in financial management in government is needed to drive better value public services
The head of @nao.org.uk gave his annual speech in Parliament yesterday, drawing on what we seen across our audits of government spending
Link to speech below
www.nao.org.uk/insights/ste...
The head of @nao.org.uk gave his annual speech in Parliament yesterday, drawing on what we seen across our audits of government spending
Link to speech below
www.nao.org.uk/insights/ste...
In the past decade MHCLG allocated £10.5 billion to unlock land with capacity for 713,000 homes, with 33,300 built so far.
With £21 billion for a new National Housing Delivery Fund, success depends on setting clear aims and priorities.
Report: nao.org.uk/reports/unlo...
With £21 billion for a new National Housing Delivery Fund, success depends on setting clear aims and priorities.
Report: nao.org.uk/reports/unlo...
February 11, 2026 at 9:54 AM
In the past decade MHCLG allocated £10.5 billion to unlock land with capacity for 713,000 homes, with 33,300 built so far.
With £21 billion for a new National Housing Delivery Fund, success depends on setting clear aims and priorities.
Report: nao.org.uk/reports/unlo...
With £21 billion for a new National Housing Delivery Fund, success depends on setting clear aims and priorities.
Report: nao.org.uk/reports/unlo...
Gareth Davies, the head of the NAO, gives his annual speech in Parliament today.
He calls for a step change in government financial management, and sets out four fundamentals in improving value for money.
Follow along 👇🧵
He calls for a step change in government financial management, and sets out four fundamentals in improving value for money.
Follow along 👇🧵
February 10, 2026 at 2:38 PM
Gareth Davies, the head of the NAO, gives his annual speech in Parliament today.
He calls for a step change in government financial management, and sets out four fundamentals in improving value for money.
Follow along 👇🧵
He calls for a step change in government financial management, and sets out four fundamentals in improving value for money.
Follow along 👇🧵
We recently announced an upcoming report on Devolution in England.
Find out more here ⤵️
www.nao.org.uk/work-in-prog...
Find out more here ⤵️
www.nao.org.uk/work-in-prog...
Devolution in England - NAO work in progress
This NAO report will examine how the MHCLG is implementing its enhanced devolution framework and if it likely to achieve value for money.
www.nao.org.uk
February 6, 2026 at 9:49 AM
We recently announced an upcoming report on Devolution in England.
Find out more here ⤵️
www.nao.org.uk/work-in-prog...
Find out more here ⤵️
www.nao.org.uk/work-in-prog...
Access to Work helps people with disabilities or health conditions get or stay in work.
But the average time DWP takes to process applications has increased, reaching 109 days in November 2025, affecting job security and employers’ cashflow.
Read: nao.org.uk/reports/the-...
But the average time DWP takes to process applications has increased, reaching 109 days in November 2025, affecting job security and employers’ cashflow.
Read: nao.org.uk/reports/the-...
The Access to Work scheme - NAO report
The NAO has investigated DWP’s operation of the Access to Work scheme to help inform public debate on its future.
nao.org.uk
February 6, 2026 at 9:04 AM
Access to Work helps people with disabilities or health conditions get or stay in work.
But the average time DWP takes to process applications has increased, reaching 109 days in November 2025, affecting job security and employers’ cashflow.
Read: nao.org.uk/reports/the-...
But the average time DWP takes to process applications has increased, reaching 109 days in November 2025, affecting job security and employers’ cashflow.
Read: nao.org.uk/reports/the-...
The prison and health services face substantial and rapidly changing threats from illicit drugs in prisons.
Our new report says that progress depends on better coordination, urgent security fixes, and smarter use of drug prevalence & health data.
Report: www.nao.org.uk/reports/the-...
Our new report says that progress depends on better coordination, urgent security fixes, and smarter use of drug prevalence & health data.
Report: www.nao.org.uk/reports/the-...
The costs of tackling drug harms in prisons - NAO report
This National Audit Office (NAO) report focuses on how the prison and health services are using public funds to tackle drug harms in prisons.
www.nao.org.uk
February 4, 2026 at 12:14 PM
The prison and health services face substantial and rapidly changing threats from illicit drugs in prisons.
Our new report says that progress depends on better coordination, urgent security fixes, and smarter use of drug prevalence & health data.
Report: www.nao.org.uk/reports/the-...
Our new report says that progress depends on better coordination, urgent security fixes, and smarter use of drug prevalence & health data.
Report: www.nao.org.uk/reports/the-...
Annual reports & accounts are critical publications supporting transparency and accountability.
They detail your organisation's performance, including successes & challenges.
So what's the best way to present this?
Our guide gives you the low down ⬇️
www.nao.org.uk/insights/goo...
They detail your organisation's performance, including successes & challenges.
So what's the best way to present this?
Our guide gives you the low down ⬇️
www.nao.org.uk/insights/goo...
February 3, 2026 at 9:37 AM
Annual reports & accounts are critical publications supporting transparency and accountability.
They detail your organisation's performance, including successes & challenges.
So what's the best way to present this?
Our guide gives you the low down ⬇️
www.nao.org.uk/insights/goo...
They detail your organisation's performance, including successes & challenges.
So what's the best way to present this?
Our guide gives you the low down ⬇️
www.nao.org.uk/insights/goo...
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...
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...
January 30, 2026 at 9:50 AM
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...
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...
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...
January 26, 2026 at 9:33 AM
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...
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...
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...
Department of Health and Social Care 2024-25 - NAO overview
In 2024-25 DHSC spent £219.2 billion. Spending is primarily driven by staff costs and clinical supplies and services.
www.nao.org.uk
January 22, 2026 at 9:54 AM
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...
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...
Reposted by National Audit Office
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
📅 Thurs 22 January
Kate Eves • Julian Blake • Philip Armitage • Jenny George • Emma Willson
🎟️Claim your ticket today: bit.ly/4r1ZDVM
https://bit.ly/4r1ZDVM
t.co
January 20, 2026 at 4:51 PM
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
📅 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...
Read the full report here: nao.org.uk/reports/regu...
January 21, 2026 at 8:56 AM
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...
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...
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...
Update on the New Hospital Programme - NAO report
The NAO has published an update on the New Hospital Programme following government's decision to reset the programme.
nao.org.uk
January 16, 2026 at 9:20 AM
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...
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...
• 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...
Department for Culture, Media & Sport, and the BBC 2024-25 - NAO overview
Our overview of the Department for Culture, Media & Sport, and the BBC for 2024-25.
www.nao.org.uk
January 15, 2026 at 9:54 AM
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...
• 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...
• 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...
Department for Culture, Media & Sport, and the BBC 2024-25 - NAO overview
Our overview of the Department for Culture, Media & Sport, and the BBC for 2024-25.
www.nao.org.uk
January 15, 2026 at 9:40 AM
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...
• 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...
Our new report has recommendations to help them make new environmental regulation reforms a success.
Read our report: www.nao.org.uk/reports/envi...
January 9, 2026 at 9:13 AM
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...
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...
Read our full overview here 👇
www.nao.org.uk/overviews/ca...
Cabinet Office 2024-25 - NAO overview
The Cabinet Office had a total net expenditure of nearly £11 billion in 2024-25.
www.nao.org.uk
January 8, 2026 at 10:30 AM
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...
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/
• 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/
Work in progress - National Audit Office
Our schedule of future publications.
www.nao.org.uk
December 22, 2025 at 11:26 AM
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/
• 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...
In 2024-25, it spent £2.15 billion (including financing).
Read our overview of DBT⤵️
www.nao.org.uk/overviews/de...
Department for Business and Trade 2024-25 - NAO overview
The Department for Business and Trade is a department for economic growth. In 2024-25, DBT spent a total of £2.15 billion in net expenditure.
www.nao.org.uk
December 18, 2025 at 12:56 PM
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...
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...
• 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...
Department for Science, Innovation & Technology 2024-25 - NAO overview
Our overview of DSIT for 2024-25 looks at the department's priorities, and where it spent £14.2 billion last year.
www.nao.org.uk
December 18, 2025 at 7:16 AM
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...
• 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...
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...
Investigation into car driving test waiting times - NAO report
Failure to resolve the problem of long waiting times for car practical driving tests has exposed underlying issues at DVSA
www.nao.org.uk
December 17, 2025 at 7:20 AM
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...
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 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...
Ministry of Defence 2024-25 - NAO overview
MoD spent £52.7 billion on running costs in 2024-25. This includes staff costs, maintaining military equipment & Defence estate management.
www.nao.org.uk
December 16, 2025 at 9:25 AM
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 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...
Read more⬇️
www.nao.org.uk/reports/depa...
December 12, 2025 at 10:49 AM
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...
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...
✅ value for money
✅ good practice in digital transformation
✅ lessons for other major projects
Our report: www.nao.org.uk/reports/bank...
December 12, 2025 at 9:15 AM
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...
✅ value for money
✅ good practice in digital transformation
✅ lessons for other major projects
Our report: www.nao.org.uk/reports/bank...