Financial management in the Home Office: forty-sixth report of session 2008-09 report, together with formal minutes. oral and written evidence

House of Commons papers 640 2008-09

Corporate Author:: Great Britain Parliament House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts
Author:: Edward Leigh (chairman)
Publisher:: TSO (The Stationery Office)

The Home Office (the Department) has made significant improvements to its financial management capacity, capability, processes and procedures over the past three years. Its policy responsibilities have been rationalised and it responded well to a weak Capability Review assessment in 2006. The Department has strengthened its financial management by recruiting capable professionally qualified accounting staff and deploying them in key finance roles throughout its business units. Over 70 per cent of the Department's gross budget of £11.8 billion is paid out as grants to partner organisations, notably police authorities. The department has responsibility for paying these grants but accountability for performance and value for money rests with local police authorities. To strengthen accountability, the Department is expanding HM Inspectorate of Constabulary's role and moving to a single national target to increase public confidence in the police. This is a bold step and only time will tell if it results in greater accountability. To drive financial skills into its core business, the Department must go beyond its commitment to press on with its programme of continuous improvement and to refresh its financial improvement strategy. Only by putting in place sound financial management in all business units and raising the level of financial awareness of its staff can the Department truly embed the skills it needs to manage its business well and respond effectively to changes in its business environment.

Extent	[2], 20, Ev 14p.	ISBN	9780215541406
Size	N/A	Price	£10.00
Binding	Paperback	Published	27 Oct 2009
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