Thirty-Eighth Report - COVID-19 cost tracker update
Select Committee
Public Accounts Committee
HC 640
23 February 2022
Government Response (AI assessment · 18 of 19 classified)
Accepted
8
Government response
Treasury minutes: Government response to the Committee of Public Accounts on the Thirty Eighth report from Session 2021-22 · published 28 Apr 2022
Recommendations & Conclusions
4 results
13
Recommendation
Not Addressed
In our report in June 2021, we recommended that HM Treasury and the Cabinet Office...
Recommendation
In our report in June 2021, we recommended that HM Treasury and the Cabinet Office set out how they would ensure that departments implemented a zero-tolerance approach to fraud and error following the pandemic and ensure taxpayers’ money was recovered.28 …
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Government Response Summary
The government claims the recommendation is implemented by referencing a general letter from March 2021 and discussing departmental responsibility for estimating fraud, but does not specifically detail how it ensures a zero-tolerance approach or mechanisms for recovering taxpayers' money as recommended.
HM Treasury
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14
Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic placed increased pressure on government departments to respond to a crisis while...
Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic placed increased pressure on government departments to respond to a crisis while continuing to provide their business-as-usual services. The Comptroller and Auditor General told us that the NAO had now, for the most part, completed its examination …
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HM Treasury
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15
Recommendation
Not Addressed
As part of our previous examination of the cost tracker in May 2021, we concluded...
Recommendation
As part of our previous examination of the cost tracker in May 2021, we concluded that government’s ability to achieve value for money was compromised during the pandemic by poor quality impact assessments and Accounting Officer assessments.33 To address this, …
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Government Response Summary
The government claims the recommendation is implemented by referencing a general letter from March 2021 outlining lessons and actions, which predates the specific request to review major COVID-related spending decisions for poor value for money, report findings by end of 2021, and produce guidance.
HM Treasury
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18
Conclusion
Not Addressed
HM Treasury informed us that it had conducted a lessons learned exercise with Accounting Officers...
Conclusion
HM Treasury informed us that it had conducted a lessons learned exercise with Accounting Officers and it planned to update Managing Public Money in December
Government Response Summary
The government claims the recommendation is implemented by referencing a March 2021 letter, but this does not confirm the specific update to 'Managing Public Money' in December that HM Treasury had previously informed the Committee it planned to do.
HM Treasury
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