Audit Scotland joins forces with the other audit watchdogs to drive value for money agenda

Audit Scotland has been working in partnership with the other public audit agencies in the UK to develop indicators that are designed to help public sector managers improve the value for money of their corporate services.

The joint report contains value for money indicators covering:

  • finance
  • human resources
  • information and communication technology
  • estates management
  • procurement.

These areas have been identified by both the UK Government and the Scottish Executive as areas where greater efficiency is needed to free up resources for front-line services.

The indicators should help public bodies to improve value for money by comparing their results against other public sector organisations across the UK.

The Auditor General for Scotland, Robert Black, said: “This report demonstrates our commitment to support the Efficient Government programme in Scotland by providing some of the tools that should help public sector managers improve efficiency and performance.”

He welcomed the cross-sector and cross-border comparisons made possible by the report.

“The public audit agencies in the UK have a growing track record of working effectively together and this is a practical example of this cooperation.”

Mr Black said that organisations would be able to use the indicators to demonstrate value for money and auditors would find them useful when auditing Best Value in bodies.