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Audit Scotland

@auditscotland.bsky.social
342 followers 103 following 144 posts

We help the Auditor General and the Accounts Commission ensure that public money is spent efficiently and effectively. bit.ly/Our_SM_Policy

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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
The next meeting of the Accounts Commission will take place in our Edinburgh office on Thursday 8 October. Members will discuss topics including a Best Value report on East Ayrshire Council. Register to attend the public session online or in person: bit.ly/AC_meetings_2026
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Community engagement is a key strength at West Dunbartonshire Council and the council is maintaining the quality of local services. But like other councils it faces a significant funding gap. Services will need to change. More here: bit.ly/West_Dunbartonshire_BV
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Thinking about applying to our graduate trainee auditor programme but want to know what it will be like when you get here? To give you a flavour of life at Audit Scotland, hear from one of our recent graduates. Applications are open until 7th December: bit.ly/Audit_Scotland_Graduates
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
The Auditor General and the Audit Scotland team will be at the Public Audit Committee tomorrow, to give evidence on the recent report on ScotWind. You can watch live from 9.30am on Scottish Parliament TV: bit.ly/Scottish_Parliament_TV Full report: bit.ly/ScotWind_26
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
The Auditor General and the Audit Scotland team will be at the Public Audit Committee tomorrow, to give evidence on the recent reports The National Fraud Initiative in Scotland 2026 and Scotland’s Colleges 2026. Watch live from 9.30am on Scottish Parliament TV: bit.ly/Scottish_Parliament_TV
Text says: “Without urgent and successful reform of the sector, it’s not clear if colleges can continue to deliver for students and employers.” Stephen Boyle, Auditor General. Image: Head and shoulders photo of Stephen Boyle.Text says: "The NFI remains vitally important at a time of ongoing financial pressures across the public sector". John Cornett, Executive Director of Audit Services. Image: Head and shoulders photo of John Cornett.
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Read our new report on the management of the ScotWind leasing round: bit.ly/ScotWind_26 2/2
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Management of the ScotWind leasing round: How the Scottish Government is using offshore wind funding | Audit Scotland
The Scottish Government needs to be more transparent about how it will use £755 million raised by a high risk and reward offshore wind leasing round.
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Whether the high risk and reward approach to the ScotWind leasing round represents value for money will be determined in the coming years. For now, the Scottish Government needs to be clearer about how it will use £755m raised by ScotWind. 1/2
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
The Auditor General and the Audit Scotland team will be at the Public Audit Committee tomorrow, to give evidence on the recent report on post-school education and skills reform. You can watch live from 9.30am or on catch-up: bit.ly/Scottish_Par... Full report: bit.ly/post-school_...
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
The next meeting of the Accounts Commission will take place in our Edinburgh office on Thursday 17 September. In the public session, members will discuss a Best Value report on West Dunbartonshire Council. Register to attend online or in person: bit.ly/AC_meetings_2026
Image: Group photo of the Accounts Commission members.
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Scotland’s college sector is facing increasing financial pressure. Despite an increase in Scottish Government funding in 2026, overall funding remains seven per cent lower in real terms than in 2021. It’s not clear if the recent uplift will help colleges reform. Our report: bit.ly/Colleges_2026
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
The Auditor General and the Audit Scotland team will be at the Public Audit Committee tomorrow, to give evidence on the recent report on the criminal courts backlog in Scotland. You can watch live from 9.30am or on catch-up: bit.ly/Scottish_Par... Full report: audit.scot/publications...
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Read the Accounts Commission’s Best Value report on Glasgow City Council here: bit.ly/BV_Glasgow_C... 2/2
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Best Value: Glasgow City Council | Audit Scotland
Glasgow City Council is at a critical point as it tries to tackle financial pressures, rising homelessness, growing demand for services, persistent high…
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Glasgow City Council is at a critical point as it tries to tackle financial pressures, rising homelessness, growing demand for services, persistent high poverty levels and unresolved equal pay claims. These significant challenges must all be dealt with at the same time. 1/2
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Is Scotland serious about public service reform? That's the question posed by Auditor General Stephen Boyle in his new blog looking at the challenges facing the Scottish Government. Read it here: audit.scot/publications...
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Fraud and error with an estimated value of almost £22 million has been detected across Scotland’s public sector since 2024. It follows the National Fraud Initiative which cross-checks public bodies’ data sets to help prevent fraud and error. Details: bit.ly/NFI_Scotland_2026
Text on image: "The NFI remains vitally important at a time of ongoing financial pressures across the public sector". John Cornett, Executive Director of Audit Services.
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Do you want to help local government improve and make a difference across our communities? Up to three new Accounts Commission members are being recruited - applications have just opened. Find out why current members value the role so much: bit.ly/Accounts_Commission_Members_2026
Text says: Join us. Accounts Commission Members. Apply now.
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Inverclyde Council delivers a range of highly performing services. It involves local communities in decisions about how money is spent and redesigning services. It must now be more ambitious with plans to address an £11 million funding gap. New report: bit.ly/Best_Value_Inverclyde_Council_2026
Alt text: A view from Lyle Hill viewpoint, Greenock, looking out to Gourock and Gourock Bay.
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Read the Accounts Commission’s latest report: bit.ly/Clackmannanshire_Council_2023_2024
Text says: The 2023/24 audit of Clackmannanshire Council. Continued late reporting of audited accounts.
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Significant ongoing delays in signing off Clackmannanshire Council’s audited annual accounts mean its leaders are making major decisions about the future without fully understanding its financial position.
Text says: "An absence of up-to-date audited financial information is a significant risk and concern as the council makes decisions about how local money is spent." Jo Armstrong, Chair of the Accounts Commission. Image: Head and shoulders photo of Jo Armstrong.
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
The Scottish Government records it invests over £3bn in the post-school education and skills sector annually. It wants to reform this sector, but progress is slow. Stronger links are needed with plans across areas like economic transformation and climate change: bit.ly/post-school_...
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Alongside our annual report and accounts for 2025/26, we've also published our annual performance reports on Quality of public audit in Scotland, Correspondence and whistleblowing, and Audit quality. You can read and download all four on our website: bit.ly/Audit_Scotland_Annual_Report_2025_2026
Image: The front covers of Audit Scotland's four annual reports: Annual report and accounts, Quality of public audit in Scotland, Correspondence and whistleblowing, Audit quality.
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Audit Scotland oversees the audits of nearly £70 billion in public spending every year. Read more about how our new Code of Audit Practice is helping shape the future of public audit in Scotland: bit.ly/Code_of_Audit_Practice_2026
Text says: Code of Audit Practice 2026
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Audit Scotland’s year in numbers 📊 In 2025/26, we audited almost £60bn in public spending. • 253 public sector accounts audited. • 17 national performance audits published. • 9 Best Value in local government reports published. Our annual report: bit.ly/Audit_Scotland_Annual_Report_2025_2026
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
The Accounts Commission recently said Scotland’s councils need to be more ambitious when it comes to redesigning local services, to match the challenges ahead. If you haven’t read this report yet, find it here: bit.ly/Delivering_f... 2/2
Image shows report front cover. Text says: Delivering for the future. Transformation: How councils are redesigning and delivering more efficient services.
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Financial pressures will continue to grow unless councils stop, reduce or significantly redesign services. The Accounts Commission's new report highlights a significant budget gap facing councils as funding fails to keep up with rising costs and demand. Read it here: bit.ly/LG_budgets_2... 1/2
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
The Accounts Commission recently said Scotland’s councils need to be more ambitious when it comes to redesigning local services, to match the challenges ahead. If you haven’t read the recent report yet, find it here: bit.ly/Delivering_f... 3/3
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
What sets the council apart is its focus on many elements fundamental to reform - transformation, community engagement, collaboration and prevention. 2/3
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Leadership at Angus Council is strong and the council is focused on improvement. It collaborates and engages well with partners and its communities. But there are difficult choices ahead as the council faces a £24.5 million budget gap. New report here: bit.ly/Angus_Council 1/3
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Progress has been made in cutting the criminal courts backlog and modernising justice services in Scotland. But a rise in serious cases has put pressure on the justice system and increased the need for reform. Find the Auditor General's new report here: bit.ly/criminal_courts_backlog
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Scotland’s councils need to be more ambitious as they change how they work and deliver services, to match the challenges ahead. Financial pressures are growing and demand continues to rise. More in the video below, and find the Accounts Commission's report here: bit.ly/Delivering_f...
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
We're now in the pre-election period. Our social media activity is restricted until after the Scottish Parliament election on Thursday 7 May 2026.
Text says: Pre-election period. Scottish Parliament Election. 7 May 2026.
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
Aberdeenshire Council is well-run and many services are improving. But the council needs to address a budget gap of £81 million over the coming years. This requires continued collaboration between councillors and senior leaders. Our new report: bit.ly/Aberdeenshir...
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Urgent action is needed by Shetland Islands Council as it faces a significant budget gap. Council services are strong and there have been improvements in how the council is run. But it can't rely on reserves to balance its budget. Change is needed: bit.ly/Shetland_Islands
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Difficult decisions are urgently needed about how health and social care services are delivered and where to redesign, reduce or discontinue services. The cost of delivering these services, and demand for them, are rising faster than available funding: bit.ly/IJBs_2024-25
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
Demand for council services and costs are rising faster than available funding. Councils are at risk of becoming financially unsustainable. This is impacting services. They must fundamentally rethink how they operate and deliver services: bit.ly/LG_finances_2425
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
Since the reform of policing in Scotland in 2013 a lot has been achieved. The service is well managed and led. But there's more to do, especially around workforce planning and management. Full details in the Auditor General's joint report with HMICS: bit.ly/Policing_BV
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
North Lanarkshire Council has strong foundations for the future as it faces a growing budget gap. It’s focused on improving residents’ lives, investing in the local economy and working with partner organisations. But there are clear challenges ahead: bit.ly/North_Lan_Council
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
Delayed discharges affect people’s physical and mental health. In 2024/25 people medically ready to leave spent 720,000 unnecessary days in hospital. The Scottish Government and partners must improve how they evaluate initiatives to tackle delayed discharges: bit.ly/delayed_discharges
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
Give yourself the best possible beginning to your career by joining our school or college leaver programme. Find out more and apply by 18 January 2026: bit.ly/School_or_College_Leaver_Programme
Text says: School or college leaver. “I love the way that different sections of the financial statements are all interlinked – it’s like piecing together a jigsaw puzzle.” Amber Hawkins, Trainee Auditor. Image: Photo of a person looking at the camera, smiling.
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
There are unacceptable weaknesses in Historic Environment Scotland’s governance arrangements. It operated for almost six months without a Chief Executive or Accountable Officer, and a substitute should have been appointed by the Scottish Government. Full report: bit.ly/HES_2024_25
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
This time round the Scottish Government must deliver on its NHS reform plans. Despite having more staff and money, the health service remains financially unsustainable. And a lot of government ambitions are longstanding and yet to be delivered: bit.ly/NHS_Scotland...
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
All Scottish councils must learn from the immediate and ongoing impacts of a significant cyber-attack on Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. The council took swift action following the 2023 attack, but its business continuity plans hadn’t fully anticipated the scale of it: bit.ly/Comhairle_nan_Eilean_Siar
Text says: “This cyber-attack shows how exposed local government is, and the urgent need to test resilience and recovery arrangements. Councils need to assume that it is a case of when, not if, they are attacked”.  Jo Armstrong, Chair of the Accounts Commission.
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
NHS Tayside’s mental health services still face significant issues, impacting patients, their families and staff. Despite some progress there hasn’t been significant change. A lack of clarity and complex governance are impeding the changes needed: bit.ly/NHS_Tayside_...
Image of report front cover.
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
Lower earnings and employment growth in Scotland compared with the rest of the UK is reducing the impact of devolved taxes. The Scottish Government expects to raise up to an additional £1.7 billion this year but Scotland’s budget is only projected to benefit by £616 million: bit.ly/devolved_taxes
Quote from Stephen Boyle, Auditor General: "The Scottish Government needs to be more transparent with the public and Parliament about the net impact of its tax choices on the Scottish budget". Image of Stephen Boyle is shown.
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
The Auditor General will give evidence on his report 'Scotland's colleges 2025' at tomorrow's Public Audit Committee. The session will be broadcast on Scottish Parliament TV: bit.ly/Scottish_Parliament_TV Before then, you can read the report on our website: bit.ly/colleges_2025
Image of report front cover. Text on image says 'Briefing, Scotland's colleges 2025'. Image also shows a backpack, notebook, pen and tablet. Auditor General logo is also displayed.
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
🎓 Join Audit Scotland as a Graduate Trainee Auditor. We'd love to hear from you if you're ambitious and have a passion for helping improve public services in Scotland. Find out more and apply on our website by Sunday, 11 January 2026: bit.ly/Audit_Scotla...
Text says: Graduates. Graduate Trainee Auditors. Applications now open for an October 2026 start.
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
NHS Grampian and NHS Ayrshire and Arran are financially unsustainable. Both needed large Scottish Government loans to break even in 2024/25. While not alone in finding it difficult to achieve financial balance, their situations are currently the most pressing: bit.ly/NHShealthboa...
"For both health boards, effective leadership and close working with the Scottish Government and other partners will be vital to improving their financial sustainability and the delivery of services". Stephen Boyle, Auditor General. Image of Stephen Boyle is shown.
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
North Ayrshire Council is a good example of how to do change and innovation well. It’s focused on improving services, reducing poverty and inequality, and proactively tackling a projected £47 million funding gap. Find the Accounts Commission's new report: bit.ly/North_Ayrshi...
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Council culture and leisure services have experienced a disproportionate share of council savings measures. They're spending less on culture and leisure services, reviewing the services they offer and increasing or introducing charges. Read the Accounts Commission's report: bit.ly/culture_leis...
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Audit Scotland @auditscotland.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
A new Auditor General report will assess the financial and operational performance of Scotland’s NHS in 2024/25 and how well it's addressing challenges and supporting reform. Read the audit scope ahead of anticipated publication in December: bit.ly/NHS_in_Scotland_2025_audit_scope
Text says: Future work. Image: Photo of a stethoscope on top of a keyboard. The image is zoomed in so that only part of both items is visible.
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