1. Liz Rankin Constantinos Regas 3 rd CPA Westminster Workshop: The Public Accounts Committee 26 June 2013 The Scrutiny Unit Making numbers talk

2. Agenda About the Scrutiny Unit How we support scrutiny in the Commons Challenges Examples of the work we do 2

3. Background House of Commons Chamber Financial Scrutiny = 3 Estimates Days a year Select Committees Financial Scrutiny = Core Task 3

4. About the Scrutiny Unit Established 2002 to strengthen scrutiny Core Functions Legislative Legal Financial 4

5. What do we do? Not Public Accounts Committee Customer-led Provide easy-to-digest briefings and analysis – Key financial events e.g Budget, Spending Reviews – Other tailored work for Committees Other functions e.g. – Training – Discussions with Treasury/ National Audit Office 5

6. 6 What value do we add? Synthesis vs Analysis Reporting what others have said e.g. Govt, Media Depoliticising the facts A proper critique of what others have done

7. Challenges 7 Scrutiny Unit has no mandate to publish Interests of members Committees have no formal role in approving Estimates (Departmental Budgets) Making the numbers interesting!

8. Public spending and revenue (as % of GDP) (aka spot the deficit) 8 2013-14 Spending: £720 billion Revenue: £612 billion 15% deficit

9. Health – how to set numbers in context 9 Clinical Negligence 2011-12: £3.35 billion Source: NHS Litigation Authority, National Audit Office (ambulance costs inflated from 2009-10 using GDP deflator) Ambulance Services 2011-12: £1.57 billion (urgent services only) About 1.1% of health budget About 2.5% of health budget Setting numbers in context can amplify your message

10. Crime mapping 10 Source: www.police.uk

11. Crime mapping 11 Source: www.police.uk

12. Crime mapping 12 Source: www.police.uk Beware of data collection issues

13. Transport - Severn Crossings 13

14. Transport - Severn Crossings headlines 14 Please ask questions of those who write briefings Good use of numbers can increase media impact

15. Final thoughts Increased clarity of financial informati on Increased interest from MPs and staff Better financia l scrutiny 15

16. Questions: scrutiny@parliament.uk