The Scrutiny Unit Making numbers talk

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

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Background

• House of Commons ChamberFinancial Scrutiny = 3 Estimates Days a

year

• Select CommitteesFinancial Scrutiny = Core Task

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About the Scrutiny Unit

• Established 2002 to strengthen scrutiny

• Core Functions• Legislative• Legal• Financial

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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

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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

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• 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)

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0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

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45

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Revenue

Spending

Source: OBR

2013-14

Spending: £720 billion

Revenue: £612 billion

15% deficit

Health – how to set numbers in context

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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

Crime mapping

10Source: www.police.uk

Crime mapping

11Source: www.police.uk

Crime mapping

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

Transport - Severn Crossings

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Transport - Severn Crossings headlines

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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

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Questions:[email protected]