To provide proper timely accountability on how public funds have been spent, the administrative deadline set by Treasury for Departments to publish their Annual Report and Accounts is 30 June, where possible, and no later than the parliamentary summer recess in July. An extension must be agreed for publication beyond this date. The Department published its 2020–21 Annual Report and Accounts on 31 January 2022, the day of the statutory deadline for all Departments. The Department told us it is...

To provide proper timely accountability on how public funds have been spent, the administrative deadline set by Treasury for Departments to publish their Annual Report and Accounts is 30 June, where possible, and no later than the parliamentary summer recess in July. An extension must be agreed for publication beyond this date. The Department published its 2020–21 Annual Report and Accounts on 31 January 2022, the day of the statutory deadline for all Departments. The Department told us it is working hard to bring the publication of its 2021–22 Annual Report and Accounts forward, with an aim to publish these in November 2022. It plans to cont Type: conclusion | Number: 31 | Response status: not_addressed Government response: 8: PAC conclusion: There is no clear plan as to how the Department will bring forward the publication date of its annual report and accounts. 8: PAC recommendation: The Department should develop a detailed and realistic plan for bringing forward the preparation a