Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the use of financial data by departments to support strategic decision-making and value-for-money assessments; and what steps they are taking to strengthen financial management capability in the public sector.

The Government routinely assesses how departments use financial information to support strategic decision-making and value for money. This includes scrutiny during Spending Reviews, regular engagement between HM Treasury and departments on budgets and forecasts, an End-of-Year assessment measuring financial performance, through departmental Annual Reports and Accounts, and through National Audit Office examinations, which provide independent assurance on the quality, transparency and use of financial data.

Departments routinely provide finance data to the HM Treasury OSCAR system, setting out their forecasts, budgets and spend to date. Departments report their forecast and actual efficiencies to HM Treasury. Accounting Officers of departments are responsible for value for money in the use of public funds, and in this they are supported by the guidance, budgeting and accounting framework provided by HM Treasury.

The Government is taking steps to strengthen financial management capability across the public sector through the Government Finance Function’s learning and development offer, which aims to build financial capability and develop a skilled and talented workforce. The Finance Function’s Government Finance Academy provides core learning offers which strengthen financial literacy across Government in key areas such as value for money, budgeting & forecasting, and provides professional training and development for finance professionals.

The Function also supports the development of talent pipelines and leadership capability across departments by building career frameworks and pathways that support progression. The Function connects some 9,000 finance professionals across government through its communities, networks and events, which further builds financial capability by providing opportunities for shared learning and fostering professional excellence.

The Government is modernising finance operations to support better decision‑making, including enhancing digital skills, promoting modern finance practices and encouraging the adoption of shared services and improved systems. Through common finance standards and data approaches the function enables departments to access high‑quality, reliable financial information, underpinning stronger financial management and improved value for money across government.