Monday 26th
January, 3.30pm, Grimond Room, Portcullis House
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will hold a scrutiny session
on accountability in small
government bodies at 3.30pm on Monday 26th
January 2026.
Government departments and arms-length bodies are expected to
comply with a wide range of requirements, including setting out
how they spend and manage public money and the steps they are
taking to reduce their environmental impact.
A recent report from the
National Audit Office (NAO) found that despite the vast ranges in
the size, complexity and risk levels faced across these
organisations, many are subject to the same financial reporting
requirements. This, coupled with the increasing complexity of
disclosures required, has meant that small bodies' financial
reports and accounts have become longer and more expensive to
produce.
Two panels will be held. In the first panel, MPs will examine the
pressures faced by small arms-length bodies, which the NAO found
were navigating these complex requirements often with fewer staff
and limited expertise.
The Committee will then explore the current landscape of
standards and requirements for smaller bodies and may consider if
this is impacting their actual delivery. MPs may ask how the
planned reforms to reporting will impact smaller bodies and could
consider how the government could better consult with those
affected to determine the necessary changes.
The National Audit Office has defined as ‘small', central
government or Parliamentary bodies that spent up to £30m in
2022-23 or had up to 50 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees on
31 March 2023. Bodies interviewed as part of their study included
the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, the Office of the
Children's Commissioner, and Social Work England.
Witnesses from 3.30pm:
- Indrani Banerjee-Jones, Director of Finance and Operations,
Government Actuary Department
- Farhad Chikhalia, Director for Finance Strategy and
Partnerships, Ministry of Justice
- Micon Metcalfe, Office of the Children's Commissioner,
Interim Director of Finance and Resources
Witnesses from c.4.15pm:
- Janet Hughes, Director General of Public Sector Reform,
Cabinet Office
- Conrad Smewing, Joint Head of the Government Finance Function
and Director General, Public Spending, HM Treasury
- Andrew Cartner, Deputy Head of the Government Finance
Function, HM Treasury
