Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

National Audit Office’s Estimate

Thursday 26 January 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Public Accounts Commission formally discusses and approves the National Audit Office's main supply estimate based on evidence from officials.
  • The Public Accounts Commission will consider the NAO's increased workload and cost pressures when setting the estimate for next year.
  • The NAO faces inflation of 9.2%, updated audit standards, and competition with private sector firms for staffing.

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Philip Hollobone Con
Context

The question pertains to the recent assessment made by the Public Accounts Commission regarding the National Audit Office's financial estimates.

Question

What recent assessment has the Commission made of the National Audit Office's main supply estimate?

Answer from Richard Bacon

In line with its statutory duties, the Public Accounts Commission formally discusses the NAO's main supply estimate, taking evidence from officials. The commission approved the NAO's supply estimate for the financial year ending in March 2023 and made an adjustment in November to allow a lease in Newcastle. On 8 March this year, it will consider the NAO's supply estimate for the upcoming financial year ending in March 2024.

Answered
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Q2 Philip Hollobone Con
Taxation Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The National Audit Office faces challenges due to inflation, increased work demands, and competition in staffing with private sector firms.

Question

Given that the NAO does superb work but now covers a greater number of public organisations, will the Public Accounts Commission take this into account when setting the estimate for next year?

Answer from Richard Bacon

Yes, it will. The NAO faces inflation at 9.2%, other cost pressures, updated international audit standards, a greater number of public bodies to audit, and competition in staffing with private sector firms. These issues will be discussed further when the NAO presents its main estimate on 8 March.

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