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Supporting the PAC: The Role of the NAO David Goldsworthy International Manager

Supporting the PAC: The Role of the NAO David Goldsworthy International Manager david.goldsworthy@nao.gsi.gov.uk. In the News. xxxxxx. Structure of presentation. Background on the NAO Supporting the PAC Pre-hearings During the hearings Afterward

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Supporting the PAC: The Role of the NAO David Goldsworthy International Manager

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  1. Supporting the PAC: The Role of the NAO David Goldsworthy International Manager david.goldsworthy@nao.gsi.gov.uk

  2. In the News xxxxxx

  3. Structure of presentation • Background on the NAO • Supporting the PAC • Pre-hearings • During the hearings • Afterward • Reflections on partnership

  4. Background on the NAO • UK’s Supreme Audit Institution – SAI • Twin roles – accountability and improvement • Fully independent of government • 800 staff – some 400 qualified accountant • 450 Financial Audits • 60 VFM reports – agreed report • Wide range of other products

  5. Accountability cycle

  6. Supporting the PACKey groups in the process

  7. Parliamentary Relations Team Executive Leader Director Executive Assistant 2 x Audit Managers 3 x Audit Principals / Senior Analysts Band 2 Chair’s Liaison

  8. Parliamentary Relations Team

  9. Chair’s Liaison Role A 6 month role which provides the Chair with a direct line to the NAO and support in her work. • Providing oral and written briefings to the Chair on NAO outputs • Informing NAO of issues of interest to the Chair. • Preparing press notices, speeches, magazine articles, key messages and approaches for PAC media engagements. • Advising the PAC Chair on policy and political climate in advance of PAC hearings. • Identifying and addressing issues in the PAC programme, with witnesses, NAO and PAC outputs.

  10. Creating the PAC Programme

  11. The PAC Programme • The Chair and Members can suggest additional hearings which are not based on reports we produce: • Personal interests or requests by MPs/constituents • Evidence from whistleblowers e.g. Off payroll payments • Information brought to light by previous hearings e.g. HMRC Tax Settlements • Public intereste.g. Welfare to Work

  12. Release of report • Embargoed NAO press release sent to media and selected MPs • Chair may produce additional press release • Press conference and interviews

  13. Pre hearing timetable Pre-strategy meeting Team working on brief PAC strategy meeting 1 week after Draft brief to PRT 2 weeks after Draft brief to C&AG 3 weeks after Final brief to Clerk

  14. The Hearing (Below is for Monday hearings. Wednesdays begin an hour earlier ) • 14:30 – Private briefing with Chair (Chair’s Office) • 15:00 – Private session (Committee Room 15) • Discussion of PAC issues • Deliberation of reports • Introduction to report topic and tactics • 15:15 – Public evidence session (Committee Room 15) • Expert witnesses • Accountable witnesses

  15. The Private Session • Led by Chair • Study Director will give opening message • Discussion of upcoming witnesses • Discussion of PAC programme changes • Other PAC business • PAC report deliberation & agreement

  16. The Public Session • Usually split into two witness sessions: • Experts in the area • Senior Responsible Officers • Committee takes evidence from first and holds second accountable. • Attended by C&AG, study Director & Gaby Cohen (front bench), study team (back bench), Chair’s liaison, Clerk & Clerk’s staff. • NAO may clarify points or even ask questions.

  17. The Public Session • Depending on public interest, may be well attended by public & media. This takes into account the attention received by the NAO report, the actions of PAC members in Parliament or media, other MPs’ actions or what is simply in the public eye at the time. • Members’ engagement varies. • PRT lead will watch hearing online & produce note.

  18. Post-hearing timetable Morning afterKey points of hearing meeting 2 days after Note of hearing to Chair 1 week after Draft summary, conclusion and recommendations to PRT 2 weeks after Draft report to PRT 3 weeks after Draft report to PAC Chair All pre and post hearing meetings are organised by the PRT EA but will be arranged from different calendars.

  19. Post PAC Report • NAO monitors government’s response (Treasury Minute) • Reports on response to PAC • NAO assesses impact of report – especially financial impact.

  20. Example of a financial impact • We published reports on central government’s use of consultants, in 2006 and 2010. • In response to the 2006 report, the Cabinet Office set up a Professional Services Procurement Board (which the NAO sat on), and developed new guidance and controls over the use of consultants. • As a result of these controls, spending on consultants reduced by £645 million in 2010-11. • It is accepted that our sustained work on government's use of consultants since 2006 was of significant influence in driving this saving. • We claimed an impact of £322.5m in 2011 as a result

  21. An effective partnership? • Bit like marriage needs to be worked on • NAO invests heavily in making it work • Recognise different powers and roles • Collective strength • PAC which is apolitical, consensual, and high status • Government which takes its reports seriously

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