Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 19
19
Accepted
Government announcement on compensation caused Department to exceed its expenditure limit
Conclusion
The announcement made by the government on 13 March 2024 required the Department to increase the amount it expects to pay to fund future scheme settlements made by the Post Office under this Scheme in its 2023–24 financial statements. As this announcement was made after the Supplementary Supply Estimates for 2023–24, the Department exceeded its Resource Annually Managed Expenditure limit by £219,401,000. 7
Government Response Summary
Following the publication of the 2023-24 excesses by the Committee, HM Treasury has laid the Statement of Excesses 2023-24, which are included in the Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation and Adjustments) Act 2025 providing the additional resources by means of an Excess Vote which received Royal Assent on 11 March 2025.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
3. PAC conclusion: The Department for Business and Trade was authorized a Voted Resource Annually Managed Expenditure limit of £950,594,000. Against this limit, it incurred an outturn of £1,169,995,000 exceeding the authorized limit by £219,401,000. 3a. PAC recommendation: Under the terms of the Standing Order of the House of Commons number 55(2)(d), we recommend that Parliament provides the additional resources by means of an Excess Vote, as set out in Figure 1. 3.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented: March 2025 3.2 Following the publication of the 2023-24 excesses by the Committee, HM Treasury has laid the Statement of Excesses 2023-24. These excesses are included in the Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation and Adjustments) Act 2025 providing the additional resources by means of an Excess Vote which received Royal Assent on 11 March 2025.