Parliamentary Scrutiny of Government Expenditure

Tuesday 18th December 2012 Written Statements

[The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Danny Alexander)]

In September 2010, the hon. Members for Gainsborough (Mr Leigh) and for Southport (Dr John Pugh) were appointed as financial advisers to HM Treasury. The hon. Member for Gainsborough stepped down from the role of financial adviser following his appointment as Chair of the Public Accounts Commission in 2011, and the hon. Member for Southport followed suit. I am grateful for the work they undertook in this capacity.

The MPs prepared a report in 2011 on how parliamentary scrutiny of Government expenditure could be improved. Many of the recommendations contained in the report fall within the responsibility of Parliament. However, the Treasury is working to implement the recommendation that the Government take forward plans for developing mid-year reporting by individual Departments. Work on mid-year reporting is underway and, subject to satisfactory progress, we plan to introduce mid-year reporting from 2013-14.

A copy of the report is being placed in the Libraries of both Houses.