Government says requiring developers to enhance biodiversity of the land they are developing could deliver broad benefits of £9.6 billion over ten years.

Find out how government is implementing this requirement through statutory biodiversity net gain: nao.org.uk/reports/implem…

We've published our report today on Defra's implementation of Biodiversity Net Gain.

In prioritising launching the policy in February 2024 Defra has accepted significant risks to effectiveness that it must now manage.

Government provided either £26,807 or £43,467 to help authorities prepare for new biodiversity rules.

Defra acknowledged mixed readiness among local authorities at launch.

More: nao.org.uk/reports/implem…

🦔 RSPB Science, as part of the #StateOfNature Partnership found that the UK had seen an average 32% decline in species' abundance between 1970 and 2021.

Find out what steps government is taking to reverse this decline in our report 👇

nao.org.uk/reports/implem…

The government introduced new rules in February that require developers to enhance biodiversity of land they build on.

We found there are risks to the long-term effectiveness of the policy.

Find out how these risks can be resolved in our report 👇

nao.org.uk/reports/implem…

Despite the £4.5bn increase in funding for local authorities for 2024-25, local government is still experiencing significant financial pressures.

We will look at the local government finance system and the impact it is having on service delivery.

nao.org.uk/work-in-progre…

Listen to what report director Andy Morrison had to say about why people spent a total of 798 years on hold to HM Revenue & Customs last year.

Andy was speaking to Aasmah Mir and Stig Abell on @timesradio earlier today.

Read our report: nao.org.uk/reports/hmrc-c…

☎️ HM Revenue & Customs’s phoneline customer service is not delivering.

⌚️ average wait time of nearly 23 mins in first 11 months of 2023-24 (⬆️ from 5 mins in 2018-19)

⁉️ many avoidable customer calls caused by HMRC itself

Read more 👇

nao.org.uk/reports/hmrc-c…

🖥️ HM Revenue & Customs wants customers to use digital services so queries can be resolved quickly and easily online.

But this isn't easy for everyone. It's not clear how far digital will reduce demand for telephone services and correspondence.

More: nao.org.uk/reports/hmrc-c…

Taxpayers are being let down by poor HMRC customer service.

☎️ Total time spent on hold waiting to speak with HM Revenue & Customs advisers in 2022-23 was more than double what it was in 2019-20.

Read our report: nao.org.uk/reports/hmrc-c…

The BBC's largest commercial subsidiary is BBC Studios.

We will be looking at the performance of BBC Studios, including whether its performance to date has met the BBC's expectations.

nao.org.uk/work-in-progre…

In Oct 2023, Phase 2 of HS2 was cancelled. Trains will terminate in Birmingham & Euston station will be smaller.

We will examine what has happened since and how costs and benefits are being managed on HS2.

nao.org.uk/work-in-progre…

The £496bn government estate includes school buildings & hospitals. 39% of the estate isn't in a satisfactory condition.

We will look at the role of the Office of Government Property, and see if there are workable plans to improve the estate's condition.
nao.org.uk/work-in-progre…

The director of our latest report speaks to BBC Money Box at 12 on BBC Radio 4 about the Pensions Dashboards Programme, which has been delayed to 2026. Tune in to hear her discuss our findings.

Report: nao.org.uk/reports/invest…

Key findings in our investigation into Department for Work and Pensions's Pensions Dashboards Programme:

📈 23% increase in PDP's estimated cost (from £235m in 2020 to £289m in 2023)

📉 drop in estimated gross benefits (from £437m in 2022 to £413m in 2023)

Read our report: nao.org.uk/reports/invest…

A lack of digital skills and ineffective governance at Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) are partly responsible for delays to Department for Work and Pensions's Pensions Dashboards Programme.

Watch report director, Laura Brackwell, explain our findings 👇

Read more: nao.org.uk/reports/invest…

Government spends over £13 billion annually with technology suppliers.

We will look at whether the centre of government is set up to ensure contracting and procurement for digital programmes is efficient and effective at achieving value for money.

nao.org.uk/work-in-progre…

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in Feb 2022, government has pledged £7.6bn of support to Ukraine, with Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 supplying equipment & training to Ukrainian armed forces.

We will provide a record of the UK's contributions to Ukraine's war effort.

nao.org.uk/work-in-progre…