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We've published our latest overview of the Department for Transport. It looks at: - how DfT spent £41.9bn - major projects and rail reform - transport performance, and; - key risks and future challenges. Read it here: www.nao.org.uk/overviews/department…

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 30/09/2026

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 · 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 · 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 · 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 · 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 · 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 · 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 · 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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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

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 · 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 · 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 · 20/05/2026

The Sizewell C deal between the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero and private investors places more risks than usual onto consumers. But DESNZ believes the deal gives the project a better chance of being delivered on time and to budget. Read our full report here: ow.ly/2wkb50Z1xFx

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 18/05/2026

Innovation is seen by the Department for Transport as key to tackling some of the challenges facing the transport sector today. How can it unlock economic, environmental and consumer benefits by strengthening support for new science and technology in transport? ➡️ ow.ly/NQ7X50Z07EI

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 22/04/2026

Demand for primary school places is falling. As most school funding is based on pupil numbers, this will impact schools finances. The Department for Education hasn't yet provided the support needed to help schools handle the financial risks of falling demand. ➡️ ow.ly/itvA50YNpkg

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 17/04/2026

Government compensation schemes, including those for Windrush and Infected Blood, are making progress in handling claims and processing pay-outs. But there is more to do to identify all eligible claimants and minimise delays. Read our report: ow.ly/R15W50YJNxq

Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme
Eligible claimants: Current and former subpostmasters whose criminal convictions were deemed to have been malicious and were overturned by legislation
Expected number of eligible claimants: Around 700
Number of claims received: 490
Number of claims paid: 463

Average wait time for settled claim: 81 working days

Average payment per claim: £600,000
Total paid out as of February 2026: £295 million
Expected total compensation (across all 4 Horizon Compensation Schemes): £1.8 billion

Infected Blood Compensation Scheme
Eligible claimants: NHS patients who became infected through receiving contaminated blood transfusions or products, and those affected such as family members and carers
Expected number of eligible claimants: Around 51,000 (IBCA estimate)
Number of claims received: 3,546
Number of claims paid: 2,861

Average wait time for settled claim: 39 days

Average payment per claim: £660,000
Total paid out as of February 2026: £1.89 billion
Expected final pay out: £12.8 billion

Windrush Compensation Scheme
Eligible claimants: Members of the Windrush generation and their families who incurred losses due to difficulties proving their legal immigration status in the UK

Expected number of eligible claimants: 11,500 to 14,500
Number of claims received: 11,475
Number of claims resolved: 3,148 payouts, and 5,203 nil awards

Average wait time for settled claim: 5 months

Average payment per claim: £32,100
Total paid out as of February 2026: £124.2 million
Expected final pay out: £156 million to £243 million

LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme
Eligible claimants: LGBT veterans of the UK Armed Forces who were dismissed or discharged because of the pre-2000 ban on homosexuality and those negatively affected by the ban
Expected number of eligible claimants: 1,600-2,000
Number of claims received: 2,113 from 1,366 veterans
Number of claims paid: 996

Average wait time for settled claim: 6 to 10 months

Average payment per claim: Dismissed or Discharged Payment is fixed at £50,000. Impact Payment average is £9,700.
Total paid out as of February 2026: £36.4 million
Expected final pay out: £75 million

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 25/03/2026

Complexities with shared ownership mean homebuyers can get caught out by issues such as increasing service charges. Limited government data means it’s difficult for the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government to assess the scheme’s overall performance. Report: ow.ly/CJeS50YxZ0Y

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 24/03/2026

The Financial Transaction Control Framework could help the government better manage its investments in areas such as clean energy and housing. But it requires full implementation to ensure these financial transactions support stable public finances. ➡️ ow.ly/oZC250YxuFR

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 23/03/2026

Defra’s Nature for Climate Fund Programme has helped to significantly increase tree planting and peatland restoration in England. But our latest report finds that some momentum has been lost during a period of uncertainty over future plans. Our report: ow.ly/QXE450YwMLS

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 20/03/2026

Space weather, such as solar flares, can disrupt infrastructure and technology on Earth. The government has invested in improving its forecasting capability, but there are still gaps in its preparedness which must be addressed. Read our report: www.nao.org.uk/reports/the-...

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 18/03/2026

The government is resettling thousands of Afghans in the UK, including those who assisted its military efforts in Afghanistan. But it must overcome challenges including a lack of available housing and poor data to successfully complete the programme. ➡️ www.nao.org.uk/reports/inve...

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 16/03/2026

The Department for Business and Trade quickly intervened to save British Steel's Scunthorpe blast furnaces from closure, at a cost of £377 million between April 2025 and January 2026. Read our full report here: nao.org.uk/reports/inve...

£377 million
The Department for Business and Trade spending over 9 months to keep British Steel's Scunthorpe site operating. April 2025 to January 2026.

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 11/03/2026

Poor transport links in the north of England are hampering the region's economic growth. The government's answer is Northern Powerhouse Rail. But stronger alignment between national & local authorities is needed to ensure this programme is a success. ➡️ nao.org.uk/reports/nort...

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

Since the pandemic, DCMS sponsored museums and galleries have managed rising costs and found new ways to increase self-generated income. But these institutions still face challenges and will need to prioritise good financial management. Read our report: www.nao.org.uk/reports/the-...

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 06/03/2026

Government's Shared Services Strategy, described as critical to a 'one government' approach, is facing funding uncertainty and planning challenges. Read our report: www.nao.org.uk/reports/update-on-government-shared-services-2026/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=shared_services

Governance issues, interoperability problems, and inconsistent commitments are hampering efforts to keep the government's Shared Services Programme on track. Gareth Davies, Head of the NAO

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 27/02/2026

The amount of additional tax revenue secured as a result of HMRC's large business directorate has doubled since 2021-22. Read our full report here: www.nao.org.uk/reports/taxing-large…

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 11/02/2026

In the past decade MHCLG allocated £10.5 billion to unlock land with capacity for 713,000 homes, with 33,300 built so far. With £21 billion for a new National Housing Delivery Fund, success depends on setting clear aims and priorities. Report: nao.org.uk/reports/unlo...

713000 new homes the intended capacity of current MHCLG programmes to unlock land

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 10/02/2026

Here’s Gareth’s short summary of his speech in Parliament today. You can watch the full speech or read the transcript here: www.nao.org.uk/insights/ste... 🎥📄

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 10/02/2026

Fourth, continuous improvement should be supported by both leadership and government culture. Without this, government transformation remains difficult.

Quote from Gareth Davies, Head of the NAO. “Financial management isn't just about compliance; it’s how better results are delivered. This is the hearts and minds part of any change, with a clear tone from the top and a credible narrative."

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 10/02/2026

Third, getting the basics of financial management right is key to delivering better services.

Quote from Gareth Davies, Head of the NAO. “I believe that a renewed focus on the fundementals of good financial management is needed. Our work shows that without concerted attention, we won't see the better results for taxpayers and service users that they deserve.”

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 10/02/2026

Second, having relevant financial management data and information is crucial for driving efficiency. Government systems often lack the data they need to make good decisions.

Quote from Gareth Davies, Head of the NAO. “If the unit cost of delivery, and the components making it up, are not well understood, it’s difficult to make sound operational decisions. How do you know where the biggest ‘bang for the buck’ is?”

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 10/02/2026

First, Gareth lays out the importance of timely, accurate financial reporting, and highlights the challenges faced by local government.

Quote from Gareth Davies, Head of the NAO. “Not all departments and public bodies yet match the best for timely and high-quality accounts... The situation in local government remains a cautionary tale.”

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 10/02/2026

Gareth Davies, the head of the NAO, gives his annual speech in Parliament today. He calls for a step change in government financial management, and sets out four fundamentals in improving value for money. Follow along 👇🧵

Picture of Gareth Davies, the head of the National Audit Office. Text: C&AG Annual Speech 2026

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 03/02/2026

Annual reports & accounts are critical publications supporting transparency and accountability. They detail your organisation's performance, including successes & challenges. So what's the best way to present this? Our guide gives you the low down ⬇️ www.nao.org.uk/insights/goo...

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 30/01/2026

The Ministry of Defence detects, prevents and recovers only a small amount of the fraud it potentially faces. A smarter approach to tackling fraud and economic crime could save it millions and boost the UK’s defence capability. Read our report ⬇️ nao.org.uk/reports/mods...

The MoD reported to Cabinet Office that it detected, prevented and recovered a small amount of fraud in 2024-25 compared with its estimate for the potential scale of fraud.

IMAGE: Edge of a large circle labeled: The MoD's estimate of its potential exposure to fraud - up to £1.5 billion
Line connecting to a slightly smaller circle labeled: Alleged fraud £253 million
Line connecting to a smaller circle labeled: Prevented fraud £2.1 million
Parallel line connecting to a small circle labeled: Detected fraud £2.3 million
Line from the 'detected fraud' circle connecting to a very small circle labeled: Recovered fraud £0.3 million.

Source: National Audit Office review of MoD Audit Committee papers and Cabinet Office data on the MoD's counter-fraud returns

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 26/01/2026

Read our learnings and insights from more than 400 financial audits. Many government departments, other agencies and organisations experience the same challenges, such as data & reporting quality, IT controls, and asset management Report: nao.org.uk/insights/aud...

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 21/01/2026

HM Treasury's regulation Action Plan aims to drive economic growth and save £5.6 billion a year by 2030 by cutting administrative burdens. Our new report examines the progress made in implementing the Action Plan so far. Read the full report here: nao.org.uk/reports/regu...

64% of regulators expect innovation to be the greatest determinant of economic growth

Regulators surveyed by the National Audit Office

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

As Defra, the Environment Agency and @naturalengland.bsky.social embark on a period of reform they face several challenges. Our new report has recommendations to help them make new environmental regulation reforms a success. Read our report: www.nao.org.uk/reports/envi...

"Defra and the regulators are working to improve how they regulate, including in response to recent major reviews. Success will depend on taking a sufficiently strategic approach and sticking to the course set." Gareth Davies, Comptroller & Auditor General, National Audit Office

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 12/12/2025

The C&AG has provided a clean opinion on the Department for Health & Social Care financial statements for the first time since 2018-19. Read more⬇️ www.nao.org.uk/reports/depa...

2024-25 Financial Audits: Department for Health & Social Care

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 12/12/2025

The @bankofengland.bsky.social navigated complex risks to deliver its Real-Time Gross Settlement renewal programme. The Bank's successful delivery achieved: ✅ value for money ✅ good practice in digital transformation ✅ lessons for other major projects Our report: www.nao.org.uk/reports/bank...

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National Audit Office @nao.org.uk · 28/11/2025

The government is implementing new annual climate-related reporting requirements in central government, aiming to improve transparency and accountability. Our new report has recommendations to support the implementation of these new requirements. Report: www.nao.org.uk/reports/impl...

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