Value for money strategy
Lack of a clear, published strategy and framework for Value for Money (VfM) in government departments.
Strongest theme matches
Mixed across source types and ranked by classifier confidence plus text match strength.
NAO recommendation
90match
A planning and spending framework that enables long-term value for money
Parliament expects to be able to hold the government to account for its delivery of value for taxpayers? money. To do so, Parliament needs timely, complete and transparent information on the government?s objectives, business planning, funding allocations, performance against objectives, spending, and outcome evaluations. The government should inform Parliament what changes it will make to achieve this from...
Matched on
terms: money, value
Committee recommendation
81match
#35 - 2nd Report – UK International Climate Finance: Sustaining Commitments and Impact Amid a Shrinking Aid Budget
We welcome the government’s renewed focus on driving results and value for money in its 2026 ICF strategy. By sharing evidence on climate mitigation and adaptation best buys, the government can strengthen UK ICF value for money assessment and encourage its delivery partners to do the same. (Conclusion, Paragraph 113)
Matched on
terms: money, strategy, value
GIRFT recommendation
81match
Paediatric Critical Care
Increase the number of L2 beds across both hub and spoke hospitals, to reduce strain on L3 beds, improve efficiency, and improve value for money. a Every L3 provider should have a commissioning contract with their NHS England and NHS Improvement regional team that captures commissioning of both L2 and L3 beds. b As a minimum one L2...
Matched on
terms: money, strategy, value
Committee recommendation
77match
#10 - 4th Report - BBC Royal Charter Review
We understand why the BBC might have a strategy to bid for content that would attract audiences, especially younger viewers. However, at a time of constrained resources, the BBC should not be paying over the odds for 54 overseas content, particularly when it’s bidding against other commercial UK broadcasters to do so. We do not believe that this...
Matched on
terms: money, strategy, value
Committee recommendation
77match
#146 - 1st Report - High Streets: Life beyond retail?
The National Audit Office (NAO) published a report considering the value for money of three of these funding programmes in November 2023. 286 The report focused on the Towns Fund, the Levelling Up Fund and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and it considered the expenditure and progress of projects for each fund up to 31 March 2023. On...
Matched on
terms: money, value
Committee recommendation
77match
#38 - 2nd Report – UK International Climate Finance: Sustaining Commitments and Impact Amid a Shrinking Aid Budget
With a view to maximising the overall effectiveness and value for money of the ICF portfolio, the government should build on any progress it has already made to: • improve cross-departmental coordination by formalising clear lines of responsibility across the four main delivery departments; • better integrate cross-departmental efforts to minimise fragmentation; and • establish robust cross-departmental processes...
Matched on
terms: money, value
NAO recommendation
77match
Increasing the capacity of the prison estate to meet demand
MoJ should combine thinking on policy objectives for the prison estate and improved evidence of different approaches to develop a long-term strategy to improve the resilience of the estate. It should: include the rationale for its approach based on value for money, for example, how it will balance the role of maintenance against expansion and how it will...
Matched on
terms: money, strategy, value
Inquiry recommendation
74match
RHI-31 - Value for Money Priority
Any imperative to spend a budget within a given timeframe should not be allowed to take precedence over how that budget is used and the longer term benefits and overall value of such expenditure. Ministers, Special Advisers and the Northern Ireland Civil Service all share responsibility for ensuring best practice in the use of taxpayers' money.
Matched on
terms: money, value
Inquiry recommendation
73match
RHI-20 - Flexible Expenditure Rules
Public expenditure rules should be sufficiently flexible so that false economies can be avoided. In order to deliver a policy objective, Departments should not be required to choose a more expensive option in overall terms because they cannot use the available funding in a flexible cost-effective way. The Department of Finance should engage with HMT to determine how...
Matched on
terms: money, value
Committee recommendation
73match
#36 - 2nd Report – UK International Climate Finance: Sustaining Commitments and Impact Amid a Shrinking Aid Budget
To support better assessment of cost-effectiveness and value for money of the ICF portfolio, we recommend that the government update and publish best buy documents for climate mitigation and adaptation programme options. These documents should be used systematically by staff to guide internal cross-departmental ICF4 prioritisation decisions. (Recommendation, Paragraph 114)
Matched on
terms: money, value
Committee recommendation
73match
#22 - 2nd Report – UK International Climate Finance: Sustaining Commitments and Impact Amid a Shrinking Aid Budget
We urge the government to follow the example of British International Investment by establishing a clear, measurable target for the amount of private capital it expects to mobilise for climate and nature outcomes, and the settings in which it intends to do so. This target should be underpinned by evidence reflecting the realities of where such investments can...
Matched on
terms: money, value
NAO recommendation
73match
Dangerous cladding: the government’s remediation portfolio
MHCLG should consider whether there is additional information and data that it could publish about the portfolio that would: enhance the level of transparency for Parliament and the public over portfolio performance ? and therefore whether it is achieving value for taxpayers? money or whether it needs to change approach. For example, it could publish data on the...
Matched on
terms: money, value
NAO recommendation
73match
Investigation into the Bounce Back Loan Scheme
The Scheme achieved its initial objective of quickly supporting small businesses, but a lack of more detailed Scheme-specific objectives will make it difficult to measure its ultimate success. Systems and processes have evolved since the Scheme launch but much hard work remains over the coming months and years to ensure that the risks to value for money are...
Matched on
terms: money, value
NAO recommendation
72match
Improving the performance of major equipment contracts
f) The Department should pay greater consideration throughout a programme as to whether it remains value for money. Business cases set out whether the proposed option is VFM, but major changes in delivery dates, for example to make the portfolio more affordable in the short-term, and increases in forecast costs, can have a significant impact on whether a...
Matched on
terms: money, value
NAO recommendation
72match
DCMS’s management of its COVID-19 loan book
DCMS should: d Set out a strategy for the longer-term evaluation of its loan book. This assessment should include a clear articulation of the standards by which it assesses value for money of its management, including how it will know if the loans have met their objectives and how the loans have interacted with its wider support for...
Matched on
terms: money, strategy, value
Committee recommendation
70match
#26 - 1st Report - EV strategy: rapid recharge needed
It is crucial that the Government considers road taxation alongside other fiscal measures taken to drive EV uptake, giving consumers a clear and consistent steer on future total motoring costs. As the UK transitions away from petrol and diesel vehicles, road taxation will need to be fundamentally redesigned, including issues like road pricing.
Matched on
terms: strategy
Committee recommendation
69match
#68 - 2nd Report - Must do better: the Office for Students and the looming crisis facing higher...
Despite its own focus on value for money for students, it appears that the OfS struggles to deliver value for money to providers. OfS registration fees may seem reasonable on a cost per student basis, but the OfS’ activities cause a much wider range of compliance costs for institutions, and it is not clear that the OfS is...
Matched on
terms: money, value
Committee recommendation
69match
#104 - 2nd Report - The impact of environmental regulations on development
Restructuring Defra’s arm’s-length bodies could distract from the Government’s targets for 2030. Nonetheless overlap between the agencies must be reduced to deliver the best value for money and reduce delays and confusion for developers.
Matched on
terms: money, value
Committee recommendation
69match
#34 - 1st Report - Think Work First: the transition from education to work for young disabled people
Supported employment provides an effective way to support people to access and remain in work and can deliver value for money investment. The Universal Support programme has the potential to increase availability of supported employment programmes. It is essential that the Government continues introducing and rolling out Universal Support and we hope that the Government will move quickly...
Matched on
terms: money, value
NAO recommendation
69match
The management of tax expenditures
e) establish and document clear requirements for officials to report concerns about the value for money of tax expenditures to ministers, for example by specifying accountability arrangements.
Matched on
terms: money, value
NAO recommendation
68match
The decommissioning of the AGR nuclear power stations
The Department should ensure that the NDA and Magnox Ltd have a clear plan for delivering value for money in the period post-transfer, taking advantage of any efficiencies to be realised from the combined AGR and Magnox fleets. The Department should agree performance metrics based on the plans and hold NDA and Magnox Ltd to account for delivery.
Matched on
terms: money, value
Committee recommendation
66match
#27 - 1st Report - EV strategy: rapid recharge needed
We support the conclusions of the House of Commons Transport Committee’s January 2022 report that comprehensive reform of road taxation is needed, to start an honest conversation with the public and work towards a system that is seen as fair and enjoys public acceptance. We note the urgency of this has only increased in the intervening two years....
Matched on
terms: strategy
Committee recommendation
66match
#23 - 1st Report - EV strategy: rapid recharge needed
Low benefit in kind rates should be retained, though as with all other financial incentives, the Government must plan for how they will be tapered and exited.
Matched on
terms: strategy
Committee recommendation
65match
#26 - 2nd Report - Must do better: the Office for Students and the looming crisis facing higher...
Value for money in the context of higher education is a subjective concept and is difficult to measure. However, the proxies used by the OfS to indicate positive outcomes, particularly in relation to continuation and completion of courses and graduate outcomes, are simplistic, narrow and fail to reflect the broad value of the higher education experience and the...
Matched on
terms: money, value
Committee recommendation
65match
#4 - 1st Report - Think Work First: the transition from education to work for young disabled people
Continuous, joined up support for young disabled people, starting in school and continuing until they have secured secure employment, bridges the gap between education and work. It empowers young disabled people both to enter the workplace and to thrive once in employment and, through this, provides concrete value for money.
Matched on
terms: money, value
Committee recommendation
65match
#172 - 1st Report - High Streets: Life beyond retail?
We appreciate that the allocative approach taken in the Long-Term Plan for Towns and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund has helped to overcome the costs and burden of bidding; however, bidding processes can serve to ensure that areas in receipt of funding are actively engaged in local projects and able to deliver value for money to the taxpayer.
Matched on
terms: money, value
Committee recommendation
65match
#45 - 1st Report - High Streets: Life beyond retail?
We appreciate that the allocative approach taken in the Long-Term Plan for Towns and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund has helped to overcome the costs and burden of bidding; however, bidding processes can serve to ensure that areas in receipt of funding are actively engaged in local projects and able to deliver value for money to the taxpayer.
Matched on
terms: money, value
GIRFT recommendation
65match
Rheumatology
Enable improved procurement of devices and consumables through cost and pricing transparency, aggregation and consolidation, and by sharing best practice. a Use sources of procurement data, such as the Spend Comparison Service (SCS) and relevant clinical data, to identify optimum value for money procurement choices, considering both outcomes and cost/price. b Identify opportunities for improved value for money,...
Matched on
terms: money, value
GIRFT recommendation
65match
Respiratory Medicine
Enable improved procurement of devices and consumables through cost and pricing transparency, aggregation and consolidation, and by sharing best practice. a) Use sources of procurement data, such as SCS and relevant clinical data, to identify optimum value for money procurement choices, considering both outcomes and cost/price. b) Identify opportunities for improved value for money, including the development of...
Matched on
terms: money, value
GIRFT recommendation
65match
Paediatric Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery
Enable improved procurement of devices and consumables through cost and pricing transparency, aggregation and consolidation, and by sharing best practice. a Use sources of procurement data, such as SCS and relevant clinical data, to identify optimum value for money procurement choices, considering both outcomes and cost/price. b Identify opportunities for improved value for money, including the development of...
Matched on
terms: money, value
GIRFT recommendation
65match
Ophthalmology
Enable improved procurement of equipment and devices through: cost and pricing transparency; aggregation and consolidation; the spreading of best practice; encouraging trusts to purchase all of their lenses through NHS Supply Chain; and reducing the unwarranted variation in procedure and instrument packs across the NHS. Actions: a) GIRFT to work closely with sources of procurement data such as...
Matched on
terms: money, value
GIRFT recommendation
65match
Breast Surgery
Enable improved procurement of devices and consumables through cost and pricing transparency, aggregation and consolidation, and by sharing best practice. a) Use sources of procurement data, such as Spend Comparison Service and relevant clinical data, to identify optimum value for money procurement choices, considering both outcomes and cost/price. b) Identify opportunities for improved value for money, including the...
Matched on
terms: money, value
GIRFT recommendation
65match
Adult Critical Care
Enable improved procurement of devices and consumables through cost and pricing transparency, aggregation and consolidation, and by sharing best practice. a Use sources of procurement data, such as SCS and relevant clinical data, to identify optimum value for money procurement choices, considering both outcomes and cost/price. b Identify opportunities for improved value for money, including the development of...
Matched on
terms: money, value
Inquiry recommendation
64match
RHI-5 - Ministerial Training and Support
One role of Ministers in a democratic system is to decide on policies and they can only do so effectively if they are prepared, in appropriate cases, to question and challenge material put to them in submissions and regulatory impact assessments. Ministers should be given training on their role in relation to policy, legislation and on the working...
Matched on
terms: money, value
NAO recommendation
64match
Network Rail’s sale of railway arches
The selling department should consider and document on a timely basis whether contracting with the new owners in areas such as future investment plans and explicit customer protections provides value for money.
Matched on
terms: money, value
CJINI report
62match
Added Value? A review of the voluntary and community sector’s contribution to the Northern Ireland criminal justice system
Matched on
terms: value
Committee recommendation
61match
#36 - 11th Report - Toward a new doctrine for economic security
We recommend that Government consult on the changes that may be required to the framework for managing public money in the face of challenges to economic and national security. This should include consideration of whether the tests underpinning managing public money 99 assessments adequately consider economic security imperatives and the benefits of securing both sovereign capabilities and critical...
Matched on
terms: money
NAO recommendation
60match
Teacher workforce: secondary and further education
DfE should, as part of its thinking around meeting the 6,500 pledge, fully assess, balance and manage the implications for value for money, affordability, responding to future teaching requirements and demographics, and the extent to which it can deliver its longer-term aims.
Matched on
terms: money, value
NAO recommendation
60match
Investigation into student finance for study at franchised higher education providers
explicitly consider the inherent risks associated with using franchised providers, and the extent to which they represent value for money, setting out how it will manage these risks. This should include consideration of both its risk exposure across the higher education sector and the benefits franchised providers can generate by broadening higher education participation
Matched on
terms: money, value
NAO recommendation
60match
Regulating the financial sustainability of higher education providers in England
g) prioritise finalising its key performance indicator on how it assesses the value for money students see in their education and set out how its work will reverse students’ declining satisfaction rates.
Matched on
terms: money, value
NAO recommendation
60match
Financial sustainability of colleges in England
In light of our findings and the fact that more colleges are expected to face financial difficulties following the COVID-19 pandemic, we recommend that the Department and the ESFA should take the following actions: a) Set out a clear vision for the role, structure and funding of the college sector as part of the long-term reform programme. The...
Matched on
terms: strategy
PFD report
57match
Jessica Baker
The coroner noted that seatbelts were not used by students or the driver on a school commuter coach. Concerns were raised regarding the lack of clear government advice to schools on seatbelt use for such contracts and the absence of public information campaigns promoting seatbelt safety.
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
57match
#14 - 2nd Report - Must do better: the Office for Students and the looming crisis facing higher...
The current system of higher education funding is not sustainable and will lead to growing issues in the coming years. The decline in the real-terms value of tuition fees has led institutions to make substantial efficiencies already, and the extent to which further efficiencies are possible is unclear. Further funding shortfalls will lead to risks for the breadth...
Matched on
terms: value
Inquiry recommendation
56match
RHI-29 - Departmental Finance Functions
The finance function within a Department should exert the necessary authority and capability to fulfil the requirements of 'Managing Public Money Northern Ireland', namely to retain a firm grasp of the organisation's financial position and performance. The Inquiry recommends that the Department of Finance take action to review and, if necessary, strengthen the leadership of and support for...
Matched on
terms: money
NAO recommendation
56match
Government Shared Services
d) The Cabinet Office should ensure that future strategies that propose similar transformational change are supported by a full business case. It should revisit and update the ?case for change? to make this a more comprehensive assessment of the costs and benefits of the strategy, working with departments to ensure benefits are calculated consistently
Matched on
terms: strategy
Committee recommendation
53match
#14 - 4th Report - BBC Royal Charter Review
We urge both sides to engage constructively in discussions on the ‘rebalancing’ of intellectual property rights. The aims should be to: ensure the BBC can provide a competitive offer on iPlayer for audiences; get value for the licence fee payers; and continue to support the independent production sector, particularly the smaller companies across all parts of the UK....
Matched on
terms: value
Committee recommendation
53match
#25 - 2nd Report - Must do better: the Office for Students and the looming crisis facing higher...
Given the financial cost of higher education to students, we welcome that the OfS is focused on ensuring their courses are of sufficient value and lead to positive outcomes. It is likely that this has already had some impact in focusing institutions on improving provision.
Matched on
terms: value
Local audit finding
53match
Section 114 Notice: Woking Borough Council
Notice issued against core funding of about £16m for 2023/24, with a deficit of £1.2bn arising from a historic investment strategy that produced unaffordable borrowing and irrecoverable loans.
Matched on
terms: strategy
GIRFT recommendation
52match
Cardiology
NHSX and the Department of Health and Social Care should work to ensure that there is clinical engagement with the procurement of cardiac devices and that all devices are subject to systematic surveillance to ensure their safety and efficacy. a) Improve awareness of costs and product utilisation across the NHS by providing cardiology supply chain analytics. b) Work...
Matched on
terms: value
NAO recommendation
52match
Regulation of private renting
The Department is planning to introduce reforms to the private rented sector and our recommendations are aimed at supporting this process. The Department should do the following: a) Define an overall vision and strategy for the regulation of private renting. This should include consideration of how the sector should be regulated and how it is affected by other...
Matched on
terms: strategy