UK Ministry of Justice denies overspending £1.1bn

The National Audit Office’s latest departmental overview is inaccurate, the ministry says

UK Ministry of Justice denies overspending £1.1bn

The UK’s Ministry of Justice has said that it is not on track to massively overspend as recently asserted by the National Audit Office (NAO).

In its latest departmental overview, the NAO said that the ministry is estimated to overshoot the budget agreed on in 2015 by £1.1bn. The ministry must cut its spending by £500m, the spending monitor said.

However, a spokesperson told the Law Society Gazette that the overview is inaccurate. It does not incorporate additional funding from the Treasury since 2015, including cash provided in autumn 2016 via supplementary estimates. That year, the treasury said it would provide up to £500m of additional funds for reform programs and to recruit up to 2,500 more prison officers.

“Forecast spending this year is in line with our budget,” the spokesperson told the publication.

The ministry also said that the spending plans for 2018-19 in the departmental overview are consistent with the department’s estimates published in April. These estimates are in line with Parliament’s expectations and the budgeted spend for the fiscal year, it said.

The NAO report said that the ministry has found it challenging to manage demand and raise more revenue through charging for services, which were major considerations for the budget review in 2015.

“Much of the spending increase since 2015-16 covers spending on major reform programmes including courts, prisons and probation, which are expected to lead to significant savings,” the NAO said.

Recent articles & video

Lander & Rogers launches workplace law elective at QUT

CE Family Law's Louise Hunter had an Erin Brockovich for a grandma

WFW picks up win at 2024 Australian ADR Awards

Three additions enhance G+T's partnership

American Bar Association releases guidance to prevent conflict with unretained clients

UK bar survey reveals one in five pupils face bullying and discrimination

Most Read Articles

Hamilton Locke partner transitions to Lander & Rogers

Global law firm Kirkland & Ellis advises on multi-billion-dollar merger in the natural gas sector

Two Australian lawyers ascend to partner in major HFW promotions round

ALRC releases anti-discrimination, religious educational institution law recommendations