National-audit-office - Page 1

Recent National Audit Office findings reveal deep-rooted challenges across England’s education system, says Abdool Kara. For local government leaders, understanding these national dynamics is key t...

NATIONAL AUDIT OFFICE

NAO: SEND reforms must tackle £2.3bn school transport squeeze

By Dan Peters | 31 October 2025

Upcoming reforms to the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system must address gro...

NATIONAL AUDIT OFFICE

NAO: Children's residential care market failing

By William Eichler | 12 September 2025

Residential care for looked-after children is costing councils more than ever, but many youngster...

FINANCE

Council pressures have 'increased significantly', says OBR

By Dan Peters | 09 July 2025

Councils face ‘growing risks to their financial sustainability’, the UK’s official forecaster has...

PLANNING

Call for strengthening oversight of developer contributions system

By William Eichler | 06 June 2025

Weaknesses in the developer contributions system intended to fund affordable housing and local in...

IMMIGRATION

The impacts and risks of immigration and skills policies

By Oliver Lodge | 05 June 2025

Closer collaboration across Government departments and local authorities is vital to securing the...

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

Auditors call for action on delays to children's care cases

By William Eichler | 21 May 2025

The proportion of children who are subject to care proceedings who have had to wait over a year t...

GOVERNANCE

The importance of ensuring good governance

By Abdool Kara | 11 May 2025

Abdool Kara says: 'It’s worth considering how to achieve good governance in the challenging conte...

HOUSING

Stepping up to the housing challenge

By Martin Ford | 15 April 2025

With the Government intent on ramping up housebuilding figures, the delivery of accompanying infr...

FINANCE

Policy action needed to solve financial challenges

By Martin Ford | 08 April 2025

Radical short-term fixes followed by changes in policy are required to shore-up local government ...

GOVERNANCE

Why good annual reporting matters

By Steven Corbishley | 19 March 2025

Steven Corbishley says high-quality financial reporting not only supports accountability, it buil...