Recommendation 5

HM Treasury is not sufficiently proactive in identifying the data it requires for reporting thematic spend in the WGA, or communicating this with Departments. HM Treasury does not actively pursue the data it needs for the WGA beyond providing initial guidance on the format data should be provided in. The performance report in the most recent WGA provides a comprehensive explanation of the contents of the financial statements but does not yet meet best practice in terms of providing a comprehensive strategic, operational and financial review of the financial year. The WGA also includes limited or no commentary on non-financial key performance indicators used by the government to measure its progress on its policy objectives, Whole of Government Accounts 2020–21 7 for example national wellbeing, educational achievement, levelling up, tackling poverty, crime levels, progress on major strategic infrastructure projects, or illegal immigration. Recommendation 5: HM Treasury should, within its Treasury Minute response, explain how it will use guidance to departments or accounts directions to ensure there is more consistent data available from departmental accounts for use in improving reporting within future WGAs on key strategic themes such as climate change and the impact of inflation.