Source · National Audit Office
The National Space Strategy and the role of the UK Space Agency
Published: 23 Jul 2024
Recommendations: 7
Type: Value for Money
NAO confirmed: 7
Department: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Strategic shortcomings are undermining government’s aims to make the UK one of the world’s most innovative and attractive space economies.
Recommendations
| Rec | Recommendation | Addressee | Acceptance | Implementation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
To ensure effective and transparent cross-government working arrangements, DSIT with other government bodies should:
By December 2024, map out the roles and responsibilities of public bodies with a role in the space sector, and publish this to provide clarity for industry and academia to enable them to easily navigate the government?s system.
Ref Page 15, Paragraph 23, point a
· Implemented Q4 2025-26
|
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology | Partially accepted | In progress ✓ NAO |
| 2 |
By December 2024, explore and implement the appropriate arrangements for cross-government working for the space sector. This should include clearly defining accountabilities for delivery and setting out the mechanisms for gathering information on the needs of different public bodies and understanding and coordinating cross-government spend on space-related activities.
Ref Page 15, paragraph 23, point b
· Implemented Q2 2025-26
|
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology | Accepted | Implemented ✓ NAO |
| 3 |
To help build and provide confidence to the UK space sector:
By June 2025, DSIT should, in preparation for and following the outcome of the spending review, assess whether there will be sufficient funding to achieve its ambitions and identified capabilities. Should there not be sufficient funding, DSIT should update its plans, setting out what would be deprioritised together with its longer-term funding ambitions.
Ref Page 15, paragraph 24, point c
· Implemented Q3 2025-26
|
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology | Accepted | Implemented ✓ NAO |
| 4 |
To improve management and oversight of future financial commitments:
By December 2024, DSIT and UKSA should undertake a joint review to understand how factors contributing to future commitments can be incorporated into financial management processes.
Ref Page 16, paragraph 25, point d
· Implemented Q2 2025-26
|
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology; UK Space Agency | Accepted | Implemented ✓ NAO |
| 5 |
DSIT and UKSA should evaluate the new prioritisation exercise and benefits framework designed to support spending review preparations, and identify whether this has enabled greater evidence-based decision making; and whether further improvements need to be made.
Ref Page 16, paragraph 25, point e
· Implemented Q3 2025-26
|
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology; UK Space Agency | Accepted | Implemented ✓ NAO |
| 6 |
To measure the progress and benefits of government funding in the space sector:
By December 2024, DSIT should define and establish output and outcome metrics to monitor cross-government progress against the Strategy.
Ref Page 16, paragraph 26, point f
· Implemented Q2 2025-26
|
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology | Accepted | Implemented ✓ NAO |
| 7 |
By December 2024, UKSA should review and confirm whether it is using the most appropriate metrics, including the North Star metric, to measure its progress.
Ref Page 16, paragraph 26, point g
· Implemented Q1 2025-26
|
UK Space Agency | Partially accepted | Implemented ✓ NAO |