Taxpayers will foot Private Finance Initiative bill
MPs conclude that the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) provides taxpayers with poor financial security and policy reform is required to control what investments government departments make.
In the report 'Private Finance Initiative’ (HC 1146), the Treasury Committee found that the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) does not provide good value for money for taxpayers and stricter criteria should be introduced to govern its use.
Cheques retained for the foreseeable future
On 12 July 2011, the Payments Council announced that cheques will continue for as long as customers need them and that the target for possible closure of the cheque clearing in 2018 had been cancelled.
In the report 'The Future of Cheques’ (HC 1147) the Treasury Committee believes that the industry-dominated Payments Council should no longer have the unfettered power to decide the future of cheques, or other payment methods that directly affect millions of people.
Committee scrutinises defence supplies management
The Committee of Public Accounts has criticised the Ministry of Defence's (MoD) performance in managing the supply chain to front line troops in a recent report.
In ‘The Use of Information to Manage the Defence Logistics Supply Chain’ (HC 1202) the Committee says there should be greater emphasis on securing value for money and that there is room for it to find efficiencies in the supply chain without jeopardising operational effectiveness.
Uncertainty about 16 to 18 education market savings
Educational performance of 16- to 18-year-olds has improved in the last four years but devolved responsibility in the system complicates decision-making for required efficiency savings.
The report ‘Getting Value for Money from the Education of 16- to 18-year-olds’ (HC 1116) details that analysing the cost effectiveness of the 16 to 18 education market is difficult as the system is devolved and complex.
Committee warns of further cuts to bus services
The Transport Committee reveals that extensive cuts to rural, evening and weekend bus services will prevent disadvantaged people from reaching essential facilities.
The report, 'Bus Services after the Spending Review’ (HC 750) details how severe cuts, scheduled to commence in 2012-13, will affect the old, young and disabled substantially leaving them unable to participate in employment, education or voluntary work and to access vital services such as healthcare and retail facilities.
Committee insists on realistic national security plan
Reduced facilities for UK armed forces have left them under intense pressure to meet current Government requirements and concern mounts for additional commitments in the near future.
In the report, 'The Strategic Defence and Security Review and the National Security Strategy’ (HC 761), the Defence Committee raises serious concerns over the realisation of future military procedure.
Report reveals electronic care records project failure
The Committee of Public Accounts believes that the initiative to create a fully integrated electronic care records system in the National Health Service (NHS) has been a highly expensive disappointment.
The report, 'The National Programme for IT in the NHS: an Update on the Delivery of Detailed Care Records Systems’ (HC 1070), finds that the central part of an ambitious £11.4 billion investment programme has not delivered its original vision despite costing over £7 billion.
Turkey urged to reduce crime before joining EU
Before its accession to the European Union (EU), Turkey should collaborate with the partnership’s authorities to tackle its organised drug and immigration crime.
In the report, 'Implications for the Justice and Home Affairs Area of the Accession of Turkey to the European Union’ (HC 789), the Home Affairs Committee highlights a number of potential benefits of the connection but expresses concerns about possible consequences on EU external border security.