10 Not Addressed

Ofqual's existing Coventry office lease was due to expire in July.

Conclusion
Ofqual’s lease of its existing offices in Coventry was due to expire in July
Government Response Summary
The government response does not directly address the conclusion about Ofqual's lease expiry. Instead, it details how Ofqual's management has responded to auditor recommendations by improving capacity, technical knowledge, and processes for complex accounting and budgetary reporting.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government Not Addressed
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented: March 2025 Ofqual’s Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee reviewed the context and detailed circumstances leading to the excess. Whilst the Committee was satisfied that this breach resulted from a technical point of interpretation rather than a failure of control or governance, it has nevertheless sought and received assurance that management has responded appropriately to the specific recommendation of the auditors in this respect, namely that management should ensure it has the capacity, technical knowledge and processes in place to appropriately consider the accounting and budgetary reporting treatment for transactions that may be complicated to account for. In addition to this specific recommendation, forecasts are scrutinized on a monthly basis, a dialogue is maintained with HM Treasury colleagues throughout the year and management is engaged with the external audit team well in advance of year-end to ensure that any such issues are surfaced and resolved in a timely manner.
Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age 1.4 yr
Report published 26 Feb 2025