iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

The NAO are at Civil Service Live today at St. James' Park in Newcastle! Find our team at Stand 27 for a chat about the work the National Audit Office does across government, and to find out how our reporting and insights help guide the civil service and public services.

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 29/09/2026

Heading to Civil Service Live in Newcastle on Wednesday? Come and meet the NAO at Stand 27. Learn how our work across government can help you tackle challenges, share insight and find good practice. More info: civilservicelive.gov.uk

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 17/09/2026

What could the next major food supply shock look like, and is the UK prepared? Off the back of our recent report on food supply chain resilience, Rich Sullivan-Jones joined The Small Print podcast to discuss the key findings and implications. Listen here: ow.ly/1Mz250ZOFCb

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Is Defra really ready for food supply shocks?

Rich Sullivan-Jones of the National Audit Office shares the key findings from the government watchdog’s new report on Defra’s readiness to respond to food supply chain disruptions

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 15/09/2026

How has the MoD organised itself and allocated spending over the past year? Find insights in our new Departmental Overview here: www.nao.org.uk/overviews/ministry-o…

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 11/09/2026

Consumers are paying the price for an electricity grid that can't yet handle the volume of clean and renewable energy coming online. Our new report highlights most of the UK's planned £70bn grid upgrades for 2030 are still in the early stages. Read more: ow.ly/cSpT50ZLRMO

Portrait of Gareth Davies, Head of the NAO, with a quote on the importance of grid upgrades for economic growth and consumer bills.

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 09/09/2026

We are delighted to announce that Greig Sharman will be joining the NAO as its new Chief Digital and Information Officer (CDIO) on 1 October 2026. Read more: www.nao.org.uk/appointment-of-new-c…

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 09/09/2026

Patients are still facing long waits at A&E and delayed discharge from hospitals, despite efforts from NHS England to improve A&E performance. Read the full report here: www.nao.org.uk/reports/mana...

nao.org.uk

Managing the flow of patients through hospital from A&E - NAO report

This report looks at how well patients flow through A&E into the wider hospital in England and at the support NHSE provides.

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 04/09/2026

Our new report finds that Defra must work more closely with households, communities and industry to ensure the food supply chain can withstand increasingly likely and severe shocks like extreme weather events, cyber-attacks and disease outbreaks. ➡️ ow.ly/zVJc50ZJe6h

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Resilience of the food supply chain to disruptions - NAO report

The government must engage more with households, communities and industry to strengthen the food supply chain's resilience to shocks.

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 03/09/2026

There's still time to sign up to tomorrow's live webinar marking the publication of our report on the resilience of the food supply chain to disruptions. Join Rich Sullivan-Jones and Helen Roberts as they discuss the findings of the report. Register to attend here: ow.ly/O3cs50ZEzR0

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 02/09/2026

Although government has dropped its digital identity plans, questions regarding providing personal information in a digital world remain relevant. Our latest report explores what the UK can learn from experience at home and around the world. Find out more: ow.ly/8kye50ZI8mZ

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Managing digital identity - NAO insight

Lessons learned for government from UK and international experience for developing digital identity services across public services.

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 01/09/2026

Governance and propriety go beyond being just compliance issues - they help public sector leaders make better decisions, manage risk and secure trust. Kate Caulkin writes for Civil Service World on how governance should be part of everyday leadership. Read here: ow.ly/SGtK50ZHH49

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What all public sector leaders should know about governance and propriety

NAO's Kate Caulkin shares what she wishes she had known about governance and propriety when she w...

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 28/08/2026

Our Digital Insights Director Yvonne Gallagher MBE's latest article is for Public Sector Focus and looks beyond the hype about AI- exploring how organisations can move from experimentation to responsible adoption. Read it here: flickread.com/edition/html/index.php?pdf=6a8d849090c67#48

flickread.com

Beyond the Hype: Questions every organisation should ask about AI

Read the digital edition of today!

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 27/08/2026

Job alert 🚨 We're recruiting two Non-Executive Directors to join the NAO Board. If you can bring independent judgement, strategic insight and audit expertise, we'd love to hear from you by noon on Monday 28 September. Read more about the role: ow.ly/8BWE50ZG6sO

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 25/08/2026

How can Defra ensure the food supply chain is resilient to extreme weather, cyber-attacks and other shocks? To mark the NAO's new report publication, join Rich Sullivan-Jones and Helen Roberts at 10am on 4 Sept for a webinar with Cold Chain Federation. Register here 👇 ow.ly/O3cs50ZEzR0

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 21/08/2026

We recently announced an upcoming report on Defence Reform. Find out more ⤵️ www.nao.org.uk/work-in-progress/def…

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 20/08/2026

Congratulations to our team who led our work on analysing the asylum system. We have been shortlisted for a prize at the Public Finance Awards later this year in the ‘Excellence in Public Sector Audit’ category. See our work here: ow.ly/HbVR50ZBPYu

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 17/08/2026

When responsibilities move between government departments, structures matter, but people matter more. Kate Caulkin shares lessons from past changes, highlighting the role of people, culture, leadership, objectives and financial management for Civil Service World. bit.ly/3RQLyi0

civilserviceworld.com

Why people matter most when departmental responsibilities move

We shouldn't underestimate the importance of culture, capability and people

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 07/08/2026

We recently announced upcoming reports, including: • Update on Carer's Allowance • Government's climate risk: insights from 25-26 disclosures Find out more ⤵️

nao.org.uk

Work in progress - National Audit Office

Our schedule of future publications.

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 27/07/2026

2025/26 audit certificates: • Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office • Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government • Department for Business & Trade • Department for Transport • Department for Culture, Media & Sport • Ministry of Defence • HM Treasury Here: ow.ly/8Wte50Zt3SQ

National Audit Office 2025-26 Financial Audits

• Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
• Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
• Department for Business and Trade
• Department for Transport
• Department for Culture, Media & Sport
• Ministry of Defence
• HM Treasury

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 22/07/2026

Our report from last year looking into bus services in England highlighted a 5% increase in usage when fares were capped at £2. But price isn't the only issue - frequency and reliability are also deterring use. Read what we found here ⬇️ ow.ly/YhNp50ZrgJx

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Local bus services in England - NAO report

Our report examines if the Department for Transport has delivered value for money from its support to local bus services outside of London.

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 20/07/2026

We recently published our 2025/26 audit certificates for: • Department for Work & Pensions • HM Revenue & Customs • Department for Science, Innovation & Technology • Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs • Department for Energy Security and Net Zero • Television Licence Fee Trust • DVLA

National Audit Office 2025-26 Financial Audits

• Department for Work & Pensions
• HM Revenue & Customs
• Department for Science, Innovation & Technology
• Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
• Television Licence Fee Trust
• DVLA

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 17/07/2026

We recently announced an upcoming report on the future of the UK’s digital connectivity networks. Find out more ⤵️ www.nao.org.uk/work-in-progress/fut…

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 15/07/2026

Effective workforce planning is essential to productive, resilient and affordable public services. Our latest report sets out eight lessons to help government address skills gaps, manage costs and plan for how AI will reshape roles & services. Read here: ow.ly/r5vU50Zno7f

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 13/07/2026

Up to 755,000 additional construction workers could be needed by 2030. The government’s £625m construction skills package is a welcome step to closing the skills gap, but our report finds success will depend on stronger employer engagement. Read it here: ow.ly/SY6h50Zml6p

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 10/07/2026

Key parts of the electronic monitoring system are not working as intended, creating risks to public protection. Our report highlights the risks to value for money and public protection of expanding a system that is not yet working effectively. Read more: ow.ly/7bHY50ZlYiZ

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 03/07/2026

We recently announced an upcoming report on the UK's preparedness for early stages of future pandemics. Find out more ⤵️ www.nao.org.uk/work-in-progress/pre…

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 02/07/2026

We're pleased to announce that Michael Jary has been selected as the incoming Chair of the National Audit Office. Michael has extensive experience working as a strategy adviser to large companies for four decades. Read more: www.nao.org.uk/next-nao-chair-annou…

Michael Jary, Chair of the National Audit Office

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 01/07/2026

Good progress is being made in MHCLG's devolution aims in England. It has created 18 Mayoral Strategic Authorities. But to get the best results when scaling up, MHCLG must ensure local bodies are suitably supported. More: www.nao.org.uk/reports/devo...

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Reposted by National Audit Office

Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

HS2 Ltd & DfT are resetting HS2, which is now estimated to cost double what was expected in 2020 – up to £102.7bn – and be fully open up to 13 years late. New @nao.org.uk report says pause until confident of delivery www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026... (full report: www.nao.org.uk/reports/high...)

theguardian.com

Pause HS2 reset until you are confident it can be delivered, NAO tells ministers

Spending watchdog says high-speed rail project must be put on stable footing to avoid repeat of costly past failures

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 30/06/2026

£2.6 billion: that's the financial impact our work had for taxpayers in 2025. Read our latest annual report and accounts: www.nao.org.uk/corporate-informatio…

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 29/06/2026

HS2 is being reset by the Department for Transport and HS2 but significant work remains before they can put the programme on a stronger footing. Read our latest report on HS2: ow.ly/8B7R50ZhyyS

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 26/06/2026

We recently announced an upcoming report on procurement innovation in government. Find out more ⤵️ www.nao.org.uk/work-in-progress/pro…

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 26/06/2026

The 1996 deal between the Ministry of Defence and Annington Property Ltd to sell off the MoD's military housing cost the public around £14.5 billion. A new agreement signed in 2024 to repurchase the properties should prevent further lost value. Report: ow.ly/6vPy50ZheRz

Text: £14.5 billion. The public purse is worse off due to the 1996 MoD deal with Annington Property Ltd to sell and lease back military housing.

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 24/06/2026

HMRC identified a new opportunity to use Home Office travel data to address fraud and error in Child Benefit. This led to initial savings of £60 million, but over half of the people who had their benefits suspended were genuine claimants. Our report: www.nao.org.uk/reports/hmrc...

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 19/06/2026

We recently announced upcoming reports, including: • Energy prices • Leveraging private investment to improve nature and biodiversity Find out more ⤵️ www.nao.org.uk/work-in-progress

nao.org.uk

Work in progress - National Audit Office

Our schedule of future publications.

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 19/06/2026

Our latest report looks at how the Government Finance Function is preparing to deliver its 2030 strategy. We examined the opportunities for stronger financial management and delivering better value for taxpayers. Read our report here 👇 ow.ly/biPu50Zevpc

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The Government Finance Function's strategy to 2030 - NAO report

Better financial management is critical to improving productivity, cutting waste and delivering better value for taxpayers.

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 18/06/2026

The Comptroller & Auditor General has disclaimed the Whole of Government Accounts for 2024-25, the third year in a row this has happened. This is due to a lack of assurance over a large proportion of English local government accounting data. Read more: ow.ly/IZgO50Ze76S

Head of the NAO, Gareth Davies, said: “Recent measures to begin to restore normal audit assurance for English local authorities are welcome.
“This work must be progressed with vigour to ensure timely and high-quality financial reporting for every local body, supporting their accountability to local people and providing more reliable whole of government accounts.”

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 17/06/2026

To cover major losses during and since the pandemic, the British Council has received a loan from the FCDO, currently worth £197m. Both organisations need to settle the British Council’s future role and agree how the money will be repaid. Our report: ow.ly/Pyey50ZcA5H

Text: £184 million in cumulative net losses for the British Council since 2021-21

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 15/06/2026

Our new report examines the proposals for restoring the Palace of Westminster and assesses them against established practice to determine whether the programme is currently set up for success. Read it here ➡️ ow.ly/q5nm50ZbHqs

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 12/06/2026

Between 2021 and 2025, FCDO's humanitarian crisis team supported its global network of 280 posts to respond to 19 sudden-onset humanitarian crises. The future of this support is challenged by increased demand for aid and reduced funding. Read our report: ow.ly/COgT50ZasCi

World map showing FCDO’s network of 280 posts across 180 countries and territories, and countries where the Humanitarian Crisis Response Department (HCRD) supported responses to sudden-onset humanitarian crises, 2021 to 2025.

The 19 crises supported were: the Afghanistan crisis, the Tonga volcanic eruption and tsunami, the Ukraine conflict, the Pakistan floods, Cyclone Freddy in Malawi and in Mozambique, the Turkey–Syria earthquake, the Sudan conflict, the Morocco earthquake, the Libya floods, the Israel–Occupied Palestinian Territories crisis, Hurricane Beryl (affecting Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, and the Cayman Islands), the Israel–Lebanon conflict, the Marburg virus disease outbreak in Rwanda, the Vanuatu earthquake, conflict escalation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Myanmar earthquake, India–Pakistan escalation and Hurricane Melissa (Haiti and Jamaica).

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 10/06/2026

Millions of customers are missing out on support with essential bills. Debt to water and energy companies is now more than £7bn. Regulators must strengthen their support for consumers in vulnerable circumstances & tackle the drivers of rising debt. 👉 ow.ly/49wp50Z9KBR

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 05/06/2026

The rent and lease arrangements for members of the Royal Family differ depending on why they require accommodation and which organisation provides the property. Read our new report: ow.ly/N1iW50Z7wLu

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 29/05/2026

We recently announced an upcoming report on the quality of social housing. Find out more ⤵️ www.nao.org.uk/work-in-progress/the…

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 22/05/2026

We recently announced upcoming reports, including: • Financial sustainability in universities • Recovery of the proceeds of crime • Future of public service pensions • HS2 reset Find out more ⤵️ www.nao.org.uk/work-in-progress/

nao.org.uk

Work in progress - National Audit Office

Our schedule of future publications.

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 21/05/2026

Our latest report sets out eight recommendations to help the Department for Education with its oversight of local bodies across the schools, early years and children’s social care sectors. Read our recommendations ⤵️ ow.ly/w95k50Z1BE3

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