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Public Accounts Committee

The latest news and comment from the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee

Articles
Government threw care homes ‘to the wolves’ amid coronavirus pandemic, MPs say
Coronavirus
Government threw care homes ‘to the wolves’ amid coronavirus pandemic, MPs say
Care homes were “thrown to the wolves” at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, a cross-party committee of MPs has argued.
Coronavirus: MPs shocked at ‘astonishing failure’ to plan for economic impact of a pandemic
Coronavirus
By Sebastian Whale
Coronavirus: MPs shocked at ‘astonishing failure’ to plan for economic impact of a pandemic
MPs have lashed out at the Government over what they deem to be an “astonishing” failure to come up with an economic plan to deal with a pandemic.
The Government must get a grip on the UK’s exceptionally expensive tax breaks that it doesn’t understand
Economy
By Nick Smith MP
The Government must get a grip on the UK’s exceptionally expensive tax breaks that it doesn’t understand
The Government knows too little about the extremely expensive tax reliefs it provides: whether they work, or offer value for money, or even how much they actually cost, according to the new Public Accounts Committee report
Government has ‘scant idea’ whether £117bn a-year-tax reliefs are just ‘freebies’, MPs warn
Economy
Government has ‘scant idea’ whether £117bn a-year-tax reliefs are just ‘freebies’, MPs warn
Ministers do not know whether tax reliefs that cost the public purse £117 billion a year have the effect they are supposed to or are just “freebies”, MPs have said.
MPs slam Ministry of Defence over 'lamentable failure' to deliver crucial armed forces equipment plan
Defence
MPs slam Ministry of Defence over 'lamentable failure' to deliver crucial armed forces equipment plan
A group of influential MPs have hit out at the Ministry of Defence over its "lamentable failure" to deliver a key equipment plan for the UK's armed forces.
Ministers ‘messed up royally’ over PPE as MPs demand plan to protect NHS workers from potential coronavirus second wave
Coronavirus
By Sebastian Whale
Ministers ‘messed up royally’ over PPE as MPs demand plan to protect NHS workers from potential coronavirus second wave
Ministers have been put on notice to solve problems with personal protective equipment (PPE) ahead of a feared second spike in cases of Covid-19.
We must halt the erosion of specialist Black and minority ethnic domestic abuse support services
Social affairs
By Meg Hillier MP
We must halt the erosion of specialist Black and minority ethnic domestic abuse support services
Abuse is not one size fits all, and support shouldn't be either. The Government must recognise that specialist ‘by and for’ services provide Black and minority ethnic women with a lifeline
'Complacent' regulator failing to protect consumers from problem gambling, MPs warn
Economy
By Georgina Bailey
'Complacent' regulator failing to protect consumers from problem gambling, MPs warn
The Government and the gambling regulator have been “complacent” over the risks of problem gambling and have “failed to adequately protect consumers” from its impact, MPs have warned.
On Brexit and coronavirus the public need clarity, not mixed messaging
Coronavirus
By Meg Hillier MP
On Brexit and coronavirus the public need clarity, not mixed messaging
The public could be left confused if the Government is unable to handle simultaneous information campaigns on Covid-19 and Brexit
Public will be left confused by simultaneous Covid-19 and Brexit messaging, say MPs
Coronavirus
Public will be left confused by simultaneous Covid-19 and Brexit messaging, say MPs
A cross-party group of MPs has warned that the public could be left confused if the Government is unable to handle simultaneous Covid-19 and Brexit messages.
On HS2, there has been a failure to manage costs and a complete lack of transparency
Coronavirus
By Public Accounts Committee
On HS2, there has been a failure to manage costs and a complete lack of transparency
No responsible government should be willing to see such huge cost escalations and so little accountability.
The Public Accounts Committee wants government to learn from its mistakes
Home affairs
By Public Accounts Committee
The Public Accounts Committee wants government to learn from its mistakes

The input of cross-party MPs is crucial to the success of the PAC, and would be a hallmark of my tenure, writes Meg Hillier MP
My focus is on repairing Parliament’s external reputation and its internal processes
Political parties
By Meg Hillier MP
My focus is on repairing Parliament’s external reputation and its internal processes

Ahead of The House magazine's Speaker Hustings, Meg Hillier MP says she will accentuate the role of Parliament as the chief means of scrutinising the government
To avoid the pitfalls of botched Tory policymaking we must be rigorous in our implementation and delivery
Economy
By Meg Hillier MP
To avoid the pitfalls of botched Tory policymaking we must be rigorous in our implementation and delivery

Our country needs bold ideas and brilliant execution – let us harness the energy of party conference into delivery, writes Meg Hillier MP
The citizen bears the brunt of Whitehall failures
Economy
By Meg Hillier MP
The citizen bears the brunt of Whitehall failures

Transparency, openness and greater clarity over costs – that’s what the Public Accounts Committee will continue to demand from government, writes chair Meg Hillier
Defra faces a huge challenge to get ready for Brexit
Environment
By Meg Hillier MP
Defra faces a huge challenge to get ready for Brexit

From its IT systems to new border checks, Defra must be prepared for EU exit day – or we risk logjams at Britain’s ports and disruption to the agri-food and chemical industries, warns PAC chair Meg Hillier