Audit Commission - Press ReleasesPress releases from the Audit Commission, an independent watchdog, driving economy, efficiency and effectiveness in local public services.http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/pages/list.aspxen-gbCopyright 2012, Audit Commission.webmaster@audit-commission.gov.ukAudit Commission - latest press releaseshttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/PublishingImages/Template/logo_print.gifhttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/pages/list.aspxhttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/Pages/20120118DeliveringSustainableCIP.aspxSuccessful savings programmes are not just about cutting costs - NHS trusts must ensure they transform services tooThe Audit Commission and Monitor, the independent regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts, are challenging trusts to review their approaches to delivering cost-saving plans.19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/Pages/auditingtheaccounts1011pr.aspxWatchdog gives positive verdict on local government’s move to IFRSThe Audit Commission has found that, although challenging, local government has coped well with the transition to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). 15 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/Pages/workinprogresspr.aspxDifficult choices to be made as England’s councils prepare for 'inevitable' job lossesWith an annual paybill of almost £30 billion, the 1.6 million people* who work for England's 353 councils are the country's largest workforce, larger even than the NHS. 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/Pages/vfmascpr.aspxStudy shows how integrated care between health and social services can improveAn Audit Commission briefing has found significant differences in the types of care received by people aged 65 and over across the country. 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/Pages/toughtimespr.aspxCouncils are coping with reduced funding, at least for nowMost councils are managing well in the face of unprecedented reductions to their income, but services have been affected and a small number of councils may struggle to balance their books, an Audit Commission report has found. 17 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/Pages/ppp2011pr.aspxCouncils detect £185 million worth of fraud, but new report says this is just the tip of the icebergEngland's councils have succeeded in detecting £185 million worth of fraud in 2010/11, an improvement of 37 per cent on last year's figure of £135 million.10 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/Pages/parishcouncilspr.aspxTwenty nine parish councils rapped for not filing accountsTwenty nine of England's parish councils have failed to meet their responsibilities because they have not reported how they have used and protected taxpayers' money. 07 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/Pages/AC-UKBA-clamp-down-on-fraud-by-illegal-immigrants.aspxThe UK Border Agency and Audit Commission work together to tackle fraud by illegal immigrantsAs part of the National Fraud Initiative (NFI), the Audit Commission is launching a pilot scheme to help UK banks and credit providers identify fraudulent applications by immigration offenders.29 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/Pages/government-Pbr-plans-dependent-on-better-data.aspxGovernment's Payment by Results plans are dependent on better dataThe NHS needs to improve the quality of its data if the government is to expand its payment by results (PbR) system, the Audit Commission said today. 22 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/Pages/20110906outsourcing.aspxContract areas announced for Audit Practice outsourcingThe Commission has today formally launched the process for outsourcing the work of its Audit Practice. We have issued the Contract Notices for the procurement of audit services for principal bodies and limited assurance audits.06 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/Pages/domesticabusepr.aspxHow good are we at tackling domestic abuse?The Audit Commission today launched a tool to help public bodies answer the question, 'how good are we at tackling domestic abuse?' 01 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/Pages/20110815newforestpir.aspxNew Forest National Park Authority payments showed weaknesses in governance arrangements, says auditor’s reportA public interest report investigates termination payments made to former staff of the New Forest National Park Authority, and payments made to an agency for interim staff in 2009/10 and 2010/11. 15 Aug 2011 12:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/Pages/20110811_NHS_financial_performance-pr.aspxNHS 2010/11 accounts show good financial performanceA new Audit Commission report has found that the overall financial performance of the NHS was good in 2010/11, with primary care trusts (PCTs), strategic health authorities (SHAs), and NHS trusts delivering a surplus of £1.5 billion.11 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/Pages/20110804birminghamlandordpr.aspxMarch 2010 inspection showed Birmingham’s housing services for council tenants were ‘fair’ overall with a ‘promising’ outlookAn Audit Commission inspection has found Birmingham City Council tenants received a 'fair' landlord service that had 'promising prospects for improvement'. 04 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/Pages/dawlish-town-councils-difficult-expensive-criticised.aspxDawlish Town Council’s ‘difficult and expensive venture’ criticised by new reportA public interest report, issued today (Monday 1 August) by the external auditor, highlights significant shortcomings in how Dawlish Town Council acted to replace its existing Town Hall (the Manor House) by purchasing temporary offices.01 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/Pages/adultsocialcareefficiency.aspxCouncils are taking steps towards adult social care efficiency but need to pick up the paceCouncils are changing their approach to providing adult social care to make services more efficient, a new Audit Commission briefing has found. 02 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/Pages/20110526driventodisrepair.aspxDriven to disrepair? England’s roads under pressure from traffic, weather, spiralling costs and budget cutsEngland's 236,000 miles of local roads are under attack from increasing traffic, severe winters, higher repair costs, and dwindling highways funding. 26 May 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/Pages/20110516-counting-the-cost-of-patient-care.aspxCounting the cost of patient careWith increasing financial pressure on the NHS the need to understand the treatment costs for patients is greater than ever. However, new research reveals that health organisations are struggling to identify the full costs...16 May 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/Pages/YouthServices-newself-helppackpointscouncilsandprofessionalstobettervalue.aspxYouth Services - new self-help pack points councils and professionals to better valueA free resource pack launched today [19 April] will help make sure money spent on services for young people is well-used and has the right impact. 19 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/Pages/lowclinicalvaluetreatmentspr.aspxReducing low clinical value treatments could free up £500 million a year to be spent on better care for patientsThe NHS could save up to £500 million a year by carrying out fewer ineffective or inefficient treatments. 14 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT