BIG SAVINGS FROM GOVERNMENT ARE POSSIBLE
Helen has argued that big savings can be found in Government spending by increasing efficiency.
Helen who is a member of the Public Accounts Committee – Parliament’s spending watchdog – said that Treasury targets for finding 2.5 per cent efficiency savings each year across Government were realistic and achievable.
Speaking in the Commons, she argued that big savings have already been achieved, and more can be found through careful planning, stronger management, less bureaucracy, and Government departments being more commercially astute. You can read Helen’s full speech here.
“There have been £8 billion-worth of savings already achieved in recent years”, Helen said. “Looking forward, it is clear that further big savings are possible.
“For example, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development are to co-locate many offices. The Department for Transport will promote collaboration between highways authorities on new build and maintenance.
“Lord Carter’s review of legal aid will provide a market-based approach which should produce savings of 20 per cent over the next four years. And the Lyons review made recommendations on the use of assets, from which should flow significant asset disposals projected to be £30 billion in the period up to 2010. There are many more examples”
The package of measures outlined by the Treasury to secure better value for money form part of the Comprehensive Spending Review – a fundamental review of all Government activity, which will take place next year.
Filed under: Uncategorized on July 21st, 2006
