Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 22
22
Accepted
Treasury provides WGA training sessions to enhance parliamentary understanding and utility.
Conclusion
We queried what the Treasury was doing to help MPs better understand and make use of the WGA. In response, the Treasury told us that it has previously offered WGA sessions for new MPs as part of their induction programme. It also said it was willing to run future teach–ins for any parliamentarians who would like to attend.50 45 WGA 2022–23 p31 46 WGA 2022–23 pp45–46 47 WGA 2022–23 p10 48 Q 69 49 Q 77 50 Q 3 15
Government Response Summary
The government agrees to design and share a draft WGA pocketbook after the 2023-24 WGA publication (Autumn 2025) and reiterates its openness to provide briefings to MPs on WGA upon request.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Autumn 2025. HM Treasury has sought to continually improve WGA. The most recent improvement 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.