Public Accounts Committee

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is a select committee of the UK House of Commons, responsible for overseeing government expenditures and ensuring value for money. It scrutinizes public spending, holding government departments and agencies accountable for their financial management and performance. The PAC's role is to examine whether public funds have been spent efficiently, effectively, and economically. The PAC is newsworthy due to recent reports highlighting significant failures in government spending and management. These include a report criticizing the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England for repeated failures to address medical negligence, leading to substantial financial costs and patient harm. Another report addresses delays in civil service pension payments, causing financial hardship for retirees. Furthermore, the PAC has condemned the Ministry of Justice's leasing of HMP Dartmoor, citing a 'catastrophic' decision that will cost taxpayers over £100 million. These reports underscore the PAC's crucial role in ensuring government transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.