Simon Bittlestone
@simonbittlestone.bsky.social
Director of value for money studies at the UK National Audit Office | Torquay United | Cycling | Running
We've published our @nao.org.uk report on the UK Emissions Trading Scheme, including this excellent visual summary by our Design Team.
While the government smoothly transitioned to the UK ETS after Brexit, its incentives for future decarbonisation are uncertain
www.nao.org.uk/reports/uk-e...
While the government smoothly transitioned to the UK ETS after Brexit, its incentives for future decarbonisation are uncertain
www.nao.org.uk/reports/uk-e...
June 30, 2025 at 10:55 AM
We've published our @nao.org.uk report on the UK Emissions Trading Scheme, including this excellent visual summary by our Design Team.
While the government smoothly transitioned to the UK ETS after Brexit, its incentives for future decarbonisation are uncertain
www.nao.org.uk/reports/uk-e...
While the government smoothly transitioned to the UK ETS after Brexit, its incentives for future decarbonisation are uncertain
www.nao.org.uk/reports/uk-e...
My first study in my new role will be looking at the BBC World Service and will focus on how effectively the BBC is transforming the World Service in line with its strategy.
More details here: www.nao.org.uk/work-in-prog...
More details here: www.nao.org.uk/work-in-prog...
March 28, 2025 at 4:18 PM
My first study in my new role will be looking at the BBC World Service and will focus on how effectively the BBC is transforming the World Service in line with its strategy.
More details here: www.nao.org.uk/work-in-prog...
More details here: www.nao.org.uk/work-in-prog...
One of the great benefits of working at @nao.org.uk is the opportunity to move every few years to a new team. From this week, I will be moving to be Director of our value-for-money work on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and the BBC.
www.linkedin.com/posts/simon-...
www.linkedin.com/posts/simon-...
Simon Bittlestone on LinkedIn: UK Emissions Trading Scheme - NAO work in progress
One of the great benefits of working at the NAO is the opportunity to move every few years to a new team, to cover a new area of government and get to grips…
www.linkedin.com
March 14, 2025 at 9:30 AM
One of the great benefits of working at @nao.org.uk is the opportunity to move every few years to a new team. From this week, I will be moving to be Director of our value-for-money work on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and the BBC.
www.linkedin.com/posts/simon-...
www.linkedin.com/posts/simon-...
The NAO is here! Give it a follow: @nao.org.uk
February 12, 2025 at 12:35 PM
The NAO is here! Give it a follow: @nao.org.uk
The government's announcement that it is extending support for Drax beyond 2027, but with the threshold for sustainable sources raising from 70% to 100%, will require it to devise an appropriate assurance approach.
February 10, 2025 at 11:23 AM
The government's announcement that it is extending support for Drax beyond 2027, but with the threshold for sustainable sources raising from 70% to 100%, will require it to devise an appropriate assurance approach.
The Public Accounts Committee has opened an inquiry on biomass, which will be informed by the report we published last year.
www.nao.org.uk/reports/the-...
Stakeholders have until 13 February to submit written evidence to inform the inquiry.
committees.parliament.uk/work/8906/go...
www.nao.org.uk/reports/the-...
Stakeholders have until 13 February to submit written evidence to inform the inquiry.
committees.parliament.uk/work/8906/go...
Government support for biomass - Committees - UK Parliament
Over £20bn in support for businesses and households using biomass (such as plants or food waste) for fuel has been provided by Government since 2002. In combination with carbon capture, usage and stor...
committees.parliament.uk
February 6, 2025 at 2:35 PM
The Public Accounts Committee has opened an inquiry on biomass, which will be informed by the report we published last year.
www.nao.org.uk/reports/the-...
Stakeholders have until 13 February to submit written evidence to inform the inquiry.
committees.parliament.uk/work/8906/go...
www.nao.org.uk/reports/the-...
Stakeholders have until 13 February to submit written evidence to inform the inquiry.
committees.parliament.uk/work/8906/go...
We said in our CCUS report that government would struggle to achieve its ambition to capture and store 20-30 million tonnes of CO2 per year by 2030.
The DESNZ Minister has now written to the ESNZ Committee saying that ambition 'is no longer achievable'
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
The DESNZ Minister has now written to the ESNZ Committee saying that ambition 'is no longer achievable'
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
committees.parliament.uk
December 18, 2024 at 4:12 PM
We said in our CCUS report that government would struggle to achieve its ambition to capture and store 20-30 million tonnes of CO2 per year by 2030.
The DESNZ Minister has now written to the ESNZ Committee saying that ambition 'is no longer achievable'
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
The DESNZ Minister has now written to the ESNZ Committee saying that ambition 'is no longer achievable'
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
For the committed listeners willing to hang around long enough, there is some rich Danny Hollands content.
Also, you will not believe my Gosport Fact!*
*You may well believe it, but would do well to pay attention if you need travel advice for getting to our game on 4/1
#tufc
t.co/uh3MFCBdCn
Also, you will not believe my Gosport Fact!*
*You may well believe it, but would do well to pay attention if you need travel advice for getting to our game on 4/1
#tufc
t.co/uh3MFCBdCn
https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/talking-torquay/episodes/Talking-Torquay-Ep-177-e2sd4v5
t.co
December 16, 2024 at 7:33 PM
For the committed listeners willing to hang around long enough, there is some rich Danny Hollands content.
Also, you will not believe my Gosport Fact!*
*You may well believe it, but would do well to pay attention if you need travel advice for getting to our game on 4/1
#tufc
t.co/uh3MFCBdCn
Also, you will not believe my Gosport Fact!*
*You may well believe it, but would do well to pay attention if you need travel advice for getting to our game on 4/1
#tufc
t.co/uh3MFCBdCn
Reposted by Simon Bittlestone
Tickets for next Gresham Lecture are up - Jan 15th, in London or online. Free but it should fill up! gres.hm/touching-sun
Touching the Sun
Despite its familiarity, the Sun is a very different presence from the friendly yellow circle in children's paintings. Our star is a broiling mass of plasma, with its powerful magnetic fields, twisted...
gres.hm
December 15, 2024 at 2:14 PM
Tickets for next Gresham Lecture are up - Jan 15th, in London or online. Free but it should fill up! gres.hm/touching-sun
One of the privileges of my job is the going to Parliament and seeing public scrutiny in action! This morning was the Public Accounts Committee session on CCUS, where MPs questioned DESNZ and HM Treasury officials about their plans for the technology.
committees.parliament.uk/event/22390/...
committees.parliament.uk/event/22390/...
12 December 2024 - Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage - Oral evidence - Committees - UK Parliament
09:30 - The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
committees.parliament.uk
December 12, 2024 at 3:23 PM
One of the privileges of my job is the going to Parliament and seeing public scrutiny in action! This morning was the Public Accounts Committee session on CCUS, where MPs questioned DESNZ and HM Treasury officials about their plans for the technology.
committees.parliament.uk/event/22390/...
committees.parliament.uk/event/22390/...
After many years and failed attempts, government reaching terms to support a CCUS project is a significant achievement.
Important now it learns from experience doing this deal, and can draw learning from construction/operation, to feed into future projects
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Important now it learns from experience doing this deal, and can draw learning from construction/operation, to feed into future projects
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Contracts signed for UK’s first carbon capture projects in Teesside
New chapter for the UK's clean industry as financial close reached for East Coast Cluster site projects.
www.gov.uk
December 10, 2024 at 3:48 PM
After many years and failed attempts, government reaching terms to support a CCUS project is a significant achievement.
Important now it learns from experience doing this deal, and can draw learning from construction/operation, to feed into future projects
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Important now it learns from experience doing this deal, and can draw learning from construction/operation, to feed into future projects
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Reposted by Simon Bittlestone
A little love song to the National Audit Office iandunt.substack.com/p/a-little-l...
A little love song to the National Audit Office
This Christmas, hug your loved ones. But hug your viable constitutional institutions closer.
iandunt.substack.com
December 6, 2024 at 11:37 AM
A little love song to the National Audit Office iandunt.substack.com/p/a-little-l...
Carbon capture and storage in the UK is at a critical juncture as we await announcements from government on its deals to support the first wave of projects.
I'll be talking about the NAO's recent work on CCS at Monday morning's Westminster Forum
www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk/conference/C...
I'll be talking about the NAO's recent work on CCS at Monday morning's Westminster Forum
www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk/conference/C...
CCUS 24
Next steps for CCUS development in the UK
www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk
December 6, 2024 at 2:43 PM
Carbon capture and storage in the UK is at a critical juncture as we await announcements from government on its deals to support the first wave of projects.
I'll be talking about the NAO's recent work on CCS at Monday morning's Westminster Forum
www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk/conference/C...
I'll be talking about the NAO's recent work on CCS at Monday morning's Westminster Forum
www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk/conference/C...
Matthew and I relive the big win at Enfield, look ahead to the Trophy tie against Horsham, and delve (maybe too far) into the National League rulebook #tufc
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Talking Torquay Ep 176
Podcast Episode · Talking Torquay · 04/12/2024 · 55m
podcasts.apple.com
December 4, 2024 at 9:34 PM
Matthew and I relive the big win at Enfield, look ahead to the Trophy tie against Horsham, and delve (maybe too far) into the National League rulebook #tufc
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Reposted by Simon Bittlestone
Whatever your view on assisted dying, this Commons debate has shown MPs at their best: thoughtful, measured, respectful, non-partisan. A good antidote to those who think they're all in it for themselves.
www.theguardian.com/society/2024...
www.theguardian.com/society/2024...
MPs moved to tears in assisted dying debate before landmark vote
MPs recount personal experiences in lead-up to decision on whether to give some terminally ill people right to die
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2024 at 2:13 PM
Whatever your view on assisted dying, this Commons debate has shown MPs at their best: thoughtful, measured, respectful, non-partisan. A good antidote to those who think they're all in it for themselves.
www.theguardian.com/society/2024...
www.theguardian.com/society/2024...
This week we published our DESNZ Overview 2023-24, summarising key information about the Department based on our previous audit work.
The last couple of pages also summarise 'What to look out for' over the coming months.
www.nao.org.uk/overviews/de...
The last couple of pages also summarise 'What to look out for' over the coming months.
www.nao.org.uk/overviews/de...
November 28, 2024 at 9:29 AM
This week we published our DESNZ Overview 2023-24, summarising key information about the Department based on our previous audit work.
The last couple of pages also summarise 'What to look out for' over the coming months.
www.nao.org.uk/overviews/de...
The last couple of pages also summarise 'What to look out for' over the coming months.
www.nao.org.uk/overviews/de...
Reposted by Simon Bittlestone
Watchdog refuses to sign off UK public sector accounts over unreliable data
Watchdog refuses to sign off UK public sector accounts over unreliable data
National Audit Office ‘disclaims’ accounts because of shortcomings in auditing of English local authorities
The government’s entire public sector financial accounts are not fit for purpose, the official audit watchdog has said after the collapse of the…
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2024 at 11:21 AM
Watchdog refuses to sign off UK public sector accounts over unreliable data
Nice morning for the school run
November 26, 2024 at 9:08 AM
Nice morning for the school run
@hsalvidgec.bsky.social great comms from you and Gritts today. It’s a real benefit for those of us that can’t be there in person to hear it being so well described!
November 23, 2024 at 5:31 PM
@hsalvidgec.bsky.social great comms from you and Gritts today. It’s a real benefit for those of us that can’t be there in person to hear it being so well described!
Catching up on gov's Warm Homes Plan announcements, one that stands out is the change in payment-in-lieu on the Clean Heat Market Mechanism from £3k to £500. It will be important for DESNZ to monitor the impact this has on the CHMM's effectiveness and adjust its plan accordingly
November 22, 2024 at 12:14 PM
Catching up on gov's Warm Homes Plan announcements, one that stands out is the change in payment-in-lieu on the Clean Heat Market Mechanism from £3k to £500. It will be important for DESNZ to monitor the impact this has on the CHMM's effectiveness and adjust its plan accordingly
Today's increase to the price cap comes on the back of mounting consumer debt. Our report last week highlighted that debt has risen from £1.8bn in 2021 to £3.7bn in June and recommended DESNZ and Ofgem consider actions to reduce debt over time
www.nao.org.uk/reports/ener...
www.nao.org.uk/reports/ener...
Energy bills support: an update - NAO report
Energy bills support successfully protected many people and businesses during 2022 and 2023 from rising energy prices.
www.nao.org.uk
November 22, 2024 at 10:35 AM
Today's increase to the price cap comes on the back of mounting consumer debt. Our report last week highlighted that debt has risen from £1.8bn in 2021 to £3.7bn in June and recommended DESNZ and Ofgem consider actions to reduce debt over time
www.nao.org.uk/reports/ener...
www.nao.org.uk/reports/ener...