Public audit cannot resolve historically low levels of trust in politicians, their parties or even democracy itself. But it can address vital issues of financial performance and value for money
Recent reports of ineffective local government scrutiny reflect a hard if disappointing reality. But it’s important that councils invest in an enhanced scrutiny function – it will pay for...
Roads minister John Hayes today confirmed that the Office of Rail Regulation will be given an expanded remit to hold the Highways Agency to account once the roads quango is given greater freedom from...
Schools watchdog Ofsted has today set out plans for a radical overhaul in the way it judges standards in England in changes that will see good schools given less thorough examinations.
The straight-talking chair of the Public Accounts Committee is well known for taking no prisoners in pursuit of the public pound. She talks to PF about going after tax dodgers, how to take on Ukip...
Public service inspectorates are seeking views on how they can work together to assess what local agencies are doing to help children and young people.
Ofsted’s review of 21 schools and academies in Birmingham has revealed that some academies breached their funding agreements by failing to provide a ‘broad and balanced’ curriculum.
Once Sir Michael Wilshaw was hailed as ‘a real hero’ by Education Secretary Michael Gove. So what left him ‘spitting blood’ in a battle with the Department for Education? The...
Public service outsourcing firms today said they were willing to start using open-book accounting and allow their contracts to be scrutinised by the National Audit Office
The government's full response to the Francis inquiry report into Mid Staffs contains many welcome proposals. But squaring the quality and finance agendas is going to prove tough
Health secretary Jeremy Hunt says he wants to hear ‘uncomfortable truths’ from the Care Quality Commission in future. So how much is chief executive David Behan willing to tell him?
The PASC has called for a new parliamentary commission on the future of the civil service. But a fresh inquiry will only be justified if it focuses on the nuts and bolts of how to make Whitehall...
The Treasury is reluctant to confirm how much the Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards is costing the taxpayer, but it could be up to £1m. Let’s hope it proves worth the money