Value for money strategy
Lack of a clear, published strategy and framework for Value for Money (VfM) in government departments.
17 items
1 source
6 inquiries
Source spread
Where this theme appears
Value for money strategy has been flagged across 1 independent accountability source:
17 inquiry recs
This theme has been identified in one data source. As more data is added, cross-references may emerge.
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Source-grouped records are useful for tracing where a concern came from. Large sections show the 50 strongest matches for that source; counts still show the full theme total.
Inquiry Recommendations (17)
56 — Cheaper data recorders for retrospective fitment
Recommendation: Consideration should be given to developing a cheaper form of data recorder for retrospective fitment where this will allow earlier fitting (para 14.24).
Unknown
RHI-20 — Flexible Expenditure Rules
Recommendation: Public expenditure rules should be sufficiently flexible so that false economies can be avoided. In order to deliver a policy objective, Departments should not be required to choose a more expensive option in overall terms because they cannot use the …
Words of: Northern Ireland Executive, Executive Response to the RHI Inquiry Report Recommendations and Action Plan, Annex A, 7 October 2021
Gov response: These recommendations can be accepted in full. It is important to note that public expenditure in NI is governed by the UK Budgeting rules set by HM Treasury. These rules mean that there is limited …
Accepted
RHI-39 — Ministerial Familiarity with Legislation
Recommendation: Any Minister presenting the Assembly with legislation for approval should sufficiently read and familiarise themselves with that legislation and ensure an adequate evidence base is publicly available to demonstrate that the benefits justify any attendant costs.
Words of: Northern Ireland Executive, Executive Response to the RHI Inquiry Report Recommendations and Action Plan, Annex A, 7 October 2021
Gov response: These recommendations can be accepted in full, with the exception of the consideration of an independent mechanism to assess special advisers’ compliance with the Code of Conduct. They have been addressed through work to date, …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
RHI-30 — Budget Holder Financial Training
Recommendation: Civil servants who are responsible for holding and monitoring a budget should have to demonstrate core requirements in financial literacy and an understanding of how public spending operates, including what is expected of them according to the core guidance contained …
Words of: Northern Ireland Executive, Executive Response to the RHI Inquiry Report Recommendations and Action Plan, Annex A, 7 October 2021
Gov response: These recommendations can be accepted in full. It is important to note that public expenditure in NI is governed by the UK Budgeting rules set by HM Treasury. These rules mean that there is limited …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
RHI-29 — Departmental Finance Functions
Recommendation: The finance function within a Department should exert the necessary authority and capability to fulfil the requirements of 'Managing Public Money Northern Ireland', namely to retain a firm grasp of the organisation's financial position and performance. The Inquiry recommends that …
Words of: Northern Ireland Executive, Executive Response to the RHI Inquiry Report Recommendations and Action Plan, Annex A, 7 October 2021
Gov response: These recommendations can be accepted in full. It is important to note that public expenditure in NI is governed by the UK Budgeting rules set by HM Treasury. These rules mean that there is limited …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
RHI-5 — Ministerial Training and Support
Recommendation: One role of Ministers in a democratic system is to decide on policies and they can only do so effectively if they are prepared, in appropriate cases, to question and challenge material put to them in submissions and regulatory impact …
Words of: Northern Ireland Executive, Executive Response to the RHI Inquiry Report Recommendations and Action Plan, Annex A, 7 October 2021
Gov response: These recommendations can be accepted in full, with the exception of the consideration of an independent mechanism to assess special advisers’ compliance with the Code of Conduct. They have been addressed through work to date, …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
65 — Manage and fund ATP development through a System Authority
Recommendation: Development of ATP should be managed and funded in future through a System Authority having broad industry representation and support (para 15.13).
Unknown
64 — Rigorous programming and funding of future research and development
Recommendation: Future R&D must be the subject of rigorous programming, cost-projections and funding arrangements, including reliable contingencies. R&D funding must be on a cross-industry basis, irrespective of whether individual TOCs decide to fit new technology (para 16.22).
Unknown
FP81 — Recommendation 81
Recommendation: Requirements for research and development should be identified and collated and an appropriate scheme of research and development prepared by SPSA. Appropriate arrangements and funding (when available) should then be provided to enable research and development to take place on …
No response yet
14 — Recommendation Fourteen
Recommendation: The Inquiry Panel recommends that consideration be given to reviewing the manner of funding in which neuropathology services are currently provided in Northern Ireland.
No response yet
RHI-31 — Value for Money Priority
Recommendation: Any imperative to spend a budget within a given timeframe should not be allowed to take precedence over how that budget is used and the longer term benefits and overall value of such expenditure. Ministers, Special Advisers and the Northern …
Words of: Northern Ireland Executive, Executive Response to the RHI Inquiry Report Recommendations and Action Plan, Annex A, 7 October 2021
Gov response: These recommendations can be accepted in full. It is important to note that public expenditure in NI is governed by the UK Budgeting rules set by HM Treasury. These rules mean that there is limited …
Accepted
CR3 — Regular assessment of assets and resources
Recommendation: There should be regular assessments by HM Coastguard of the adequacy of the available assets and human resources to respond to both current and reasonably foreseeable levels of small boat activity. Where the forecast level of resourcing need cannot be …
Words of: Department for Transport, Cranston Inquiry Report: Interim Response (CP 1635), July 2026
Gov response: HMCG recognises the importance of regular assessments and has the following operational measures in place for the review of assets: • SAR asset availability (surface vessels and aircraft) is assessed daily, and every watch assesses …
Accepted
BRIS-44 — Examine Distinction Awards for consultants to incentivise quality care and extend to juniors
Recommendation: The system of Distinction Awards for hospital consultants should be examined to determine whether it could be used to provide greater incentives than exist at present for providing good quality of care to patients. The possibility of its extension to …
Unknown
In progress
BRIS-37 — Urgently review compensation system for medical harm, replacing clinical negligence
Recommendation: There should be an urgent review of the system for providing compensation to those who suffer harm arising out of medical care. The review should be concerned with the introduction of an administrative system for responding promptly to patients’ needs …
Unknown
BRIS-32 — Promote collaboration among patient advocacy services for seamless information and support
Recommendation: So as to provide for patients an effective, efficient and seamless information and advocacy service, consideration should be given to how the various patient advocacy and liaison services in a given geographical area could most effectively collaborate, including in relation …
Unknown
In progress
BRIS-30 — Implement and securely fund Patient Advocacy and Liaison Services in all NHS trusts
Recommendation: We endorse the initiative in ‘The NHS Plan’ to establish a Patient Advocacy and Liaison Service in every NHS trust and primary care trust. The establishment of this service should be implemented in full as quickly as possible. Once established, …
Unknown
In progress
BRIS-22 — Fund voluntary organisations meeting NHS standards for patient and carer support
Recommendation: Voluntary organisations which provide care and support to patients and carers in the NHS (such as through telephone helplines, the provision of information and the organisation of self-help groups) play a very important role. Groups which meet the appropriate standards …
Unknown
In progress