Government announces UK postal service plans
This Command Paper from the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, 'The Future of the Universal Postal Service in the UK' (Cm. 7560), builds on the December 2008 independent review, led by Richard Hooper, 'Modernise or Decline: Policies to Maintain the Universal Postal Service in the United Kingdom' (Cm. 7529).
Government urged to build more social housing
In this Report, 'Housing and the Credit Crunch' (HC 101), the Communities and Local Government Committee says that the Government must stick to its long term house-building targets - despite the credit crunch - but that a greater proportion of the homes built should be social housing.
Procurement of defence equipment examined
The Ministry of Defence's (MoD) Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) organisation has the objective of equipping and supporting the UK's Armed Forces for all operations.
This Defence Committee Report, 'Defence Equipment 2009' (HC 107), looks at the procurement of defence equipment.
DFID's 2008 Annual Report examined
The Department for International Development's (DFID) objectives continue to focus on achievement of the internationally agreed Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), with the overarching aim of poverty reduction. This focus remains valid. However, on current trends most of the MDGs will not be met by the 2015 deadline.
'Building Schools for the Future' examined
The Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme aims to rebuild, refurbish and provide new information technology for all 3,500 secondary schools in England by 2020.
This National Audit Office Report, 'The Building Schools for the Future Programme: Renewing the Secondary School Estate' (HC 135), focuses on the progress of the programme up to December 2008.
Response to merchant shipping growth examined
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (the Agency) is responsible for maintaining the safety, security, and environmental standards of commercial vessels flying the UK flag.
This National Audit Office Report, 'The Maritime and Coastguard Agency's Response to Growth in the UK Merchant Fleet' (HC 131), focuses on how the Agency has responded to growth in the UK registered merchant shipping fleet.
'Warm Front' fuel poverty scheme examined
'Warm Front' is a key programme of the Department of Energy and Climate Change to tackle fuel poverty by improving energy efficiency in privately owned properties in England.
This Report, 'The Warm Front Scheme (HC 126)', follows earlier National Audit Office examinations of the Scheme (in 1998 and 2003) and focuses on the extent to which it has helped those in fuel poverty, the costs of the work done, and the Department's management of the contract with eaga who administer the Scheme.
Capability Review programme assessed
The Capability Review programme was launched in 2005 to assess and compare systematically, for the first time, individual departments' organisational capabilities and ability to deliver their objectives.
This National Audit Office Report, 'Assessment of the Capability Review Programme (HC 123)', finds that the programme has led to evidence of greater capability in departments but that departments have yet to show that the programme has had an impact on outcomes in delivering public services.