the scrutiny unit making numbers talk
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The Scrutiny Unit Making numbers talk. Liz Rankin Constantinos Regas 3 rd CPA Westminster Workshop: The Public Accounts Committee 26 June 2013. Agenda. About the Scrutiny Unit How we support scrutiny in the Commons Challenges Examples of the work we do. Background. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Liz RankinConstantinos Regas
3rd CPA Westminster Workshop: The Public Accounts Committee26 June 2013
The Scrutiny UnitMaking numbers talk
Agenda • About the Scrutiny Unit
• How we support scrutiny in the Commons
• Challenges
• Examples of the work we do
2
Background
• House of Commons ChamberFinancial Scrutiny = 3 Estimates Days a
year
• Select CommitteesFinancial Scrutiny = Core Task
3
About the Scrutiny Unit
• Established 2002 to strengthen scrutiny
• Core Functions• Legislative• Legal• Financial
4
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
What value do we add?
Synthesisvs
Analysis
Reporting what others
have said e.g. Govt, Media
Depoliticising the facts
A proper critique of
what others have done
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!
Public spending and revenue (as % of GDP)(aka spot the deficit)
8
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
Revenue
Spending
Source: OBR
2013-14
Spending: £720 billion
Revenue: £612 billion
15% deficit
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 Services2011-12: £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
Transport - Severn Crossings headlines
14
Please ask questions of those who write briefings
Good use of numbers can increase media impact
Final thoughts
Increased clarity of financial
information
Increased interest
from MPs and staff
Better financial scrutiny
15
Questions:[email protected]