The Ministry of Justice's efficiency programme is improving but there are still discrepanices with its financial management approach, its understanding of its costs and the integration of its financial management systems and processes - claim the National Audit Office (NAO).
Ther NAO's report recognises that the MoJ has made an important step forward in establishing a Value for Money Improvement Committee, which, it says, will assist the Ministry in delivering its future efficiency programme; integrating its financial systems; improving its cost data; and enhancing its internal financial management reporting.
There was criticisim regarding tthe fact that the MoJ is yet to produce a clear action plan to deliver its financial management initiatives and needs to do so over the next four months to demonstrate its commitment to continuing to improve its financial management.
The report acknowledged that some of the difficulties in the department is down to the differing financial management approaches in its arm's length bodies, a consequence of its complex delivery mechanisms and recent machinery of government changes. Financial management in these bodies, particularly in the National Offender Management Service, is yet to be fully integrated with the Ministry's, said the report.
From Bubb's Blog
From Whitehall Watch
