Recommendation 1
a) be clear about what savings it is reporting, to what extent central functional teams contributed to the savings, and make sure it is consistent in its application of this approach with each function
Source · National Audit Office
Cabinet Office functional savings
The Cabinet Office reports efficiency savings across shared government functions, but they could implement a more robust approach.
Published: 25 Oct 2023
Recommendations: 6
Type: Value for Money
NAO confirmed: 3
Department: Cabinet Office
Recommendations
Recommendation 2
b) include in its report an explanation of:
? the challenges and limitations of calculating and reporting efficiencies,
? how it intends to use the figures produced by functions,
? why the different methodological approaches used are robust enough
to support their intended purpose, and
? the extent of the assurance provided by GIAA over the figures in the
functional efficiency savings
? the challenges and limitations of calculating and reporting efficiencies,
? how it intends to use the figures produced by functions,
? why the different methodological approaches used are robust enough
to support their intended purpose, and
? the extent of the assurance provided by GIAA over the figures in the
functional efficiency savings
Recommendation 3
f) more broadly, as Cabinet Office continues to refine its reporting of efficiencies,
it should work with HM Treasury to make sure that their approaches align where possible and are complementary, and that lessons learnt and good practice from both exercises are being shared across government
it should work with HM Treasury to make sure that their approaches align where possible and are complementary, and that lessons learnt and good practice from both exercises are being shared across government
Recommendation 4
c) set out the approach it expects functions to take in identifying and calculating efficiencies, based on the good practice set out in Figure 7 of this report and considering the Government Efficiency Framework
Recommendation 5
d) consider broadening its functional savings exercise to include all functions
Recommendation 6
e) work with the functions to ensure GIAA?s recommendations are responded to in a timely way in accordance with GIAA?s expected timescales
Public Accounts Committee follow-up
The Public Accounts Committee examined this NAO report and published its own recommendations. The government responds to PAC recommendations via Treasury Minutes.