Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 4
4
Accepted
Continue improving WGA accessibility, considering a 'pocket handbook' and setting out digitisation plans
Conclusion
The Treasury has made some improvements to the accessibility of WGA and the information it contains, but there is still more work to do. We recognise the efforts the Treasury has made to make the WGA more accessible. These measures include additional disclosure within the annual report, a new accounting spotlight section that addresses key areas such as consolidation, new accounting standards and discount rates, alongside teach–in sessions delivered as part of the new MP induction programme. However, there is still work to be done to improve the structure of the WGA to allow readers to find information more easily. It remains difficult to find all relevant information within the WGA on a single topic such as pensions liabilities, as this is spread across multiple notes to the accounts. Consideration should be given to better consolidation of individual subjects. recommendation a. The Treasury should continue to improve the accessibility of the WGA and consider producing a ‘pocket handbook’ or similar to help people understand and navigate the document. b. The Treasury should also set out its plans for digitisation of the accounts and how this will achieve greater accessibility.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and commits to designing a draft summary WGA pocketbook after the 2023-24 WGA is published, to be shared with the committee prior to publication. It will continue to assess opportunities for digitisation but prioritises completing the WGA recovery plan first.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. for the 2022-23 account was the inclusion of accounting spotlights, which provide a detailed overview of accounting concepts. In previously years there have been developments in the use of trend data and infographics. We have also improved the level of disclosures relating to missing and unaudited data. HM Treasury officials are open to providing briefing to MPs on WGA where requested. Summary publications such as a WGA pocketbook can be useful, but HM Treasury feels that greater impact can be made by investing in providing more open access to WGA data. HM Treasury will design a draft summary WGA pocketbook after WGA 2023-24 is published and will share an early draft with the committee prior to publication. HM Treasury will continue to assess opportunities for greater digitisation in future years, however the priority is ensuring that the WGA recovery plan is completed, and that WGA returns to a stable and timely publication schedule, before we consider digital options.