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

xxxxxx In the News

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

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

Accountability cycle

Supporting the PAC Key groups in the process NAO C&AG Parliamentary Relations VFM line teams Clerk’s Office ClerkAssistants Public Accounts Committee ChairCommittee

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

Parliamentary Relations Team Support to PAC & advice to NAO PAC programme PAC briefings and reports reports Treasury Minutes PAC Support to Select Committees & advice to NAO Engaging with Parliament Departmental overviews Parliamentary monitoring Wider Support to Parliament Parliamentary bulletin Recommendations database Other

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.

PRT start planning for next session PRT gather ‘one- pagers’ PRT submit suggested programme to PAC PAC discuss and amend Programme confirmed Creating 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 interest e.g. Welfare to Work The PAC Programme

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

Morning after Key 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 Post-hearing timetable All pre and post hearing meetings are organised by the PRT EA but will be arranged from different calendars.

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

Example of a financial impact We published reports on central government’s use of consultants, in 2006 and 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 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

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