MPs call for audit action

In a follow-up to a National Audit Office report on the public sector, the Commons Public Accounts Committee said one in five local public bodies did not have proper arrangements to secure value for money. NHS organisations were the worst, it said, with auditors qualifying 38% of their conclusions in respect of value for money arrangements – mainly the result of not meeting financial targets.

Government departments had to do more to hold local bodies to account as there were no direct consequences of receiving a qualified report from an auditor.

PAC chair Meg Hillier (pictured) said taxpayers must be sure their money is well spent. ‘Particularly concerning are NHS bodies such as clinical commissioning groups and hospital trusts: last year almost two in five did not have adequate arrangements.’

• An HFMA briefing due shortly will help audit committee members scrutinise arrangements to manage finances and secure value for money. It will look at different auditor opinions and powers.