UK Government Wastes Over £10 Billion Annually, Says NAO Chief

Gareth Davies suggests billions could be saved by improving contract awards, tackling benefits fraud, and modernizing outdated IT systems.

National Audit Office (NAO) chief Gareth Davies warns that the UK government is wasting over £10 billion annually due to poor management, benefits fraud, and outdated IT systems.
Davies suggests that up to £8 billion could be saved by improving government contract awards, and £5.5 billion could be recouped from benefits fraud and error.
He criticizes the management of major infrastructure projects like HS2, suggesting that smaller, more manageable projects could be more successful.
Davies highlights the need for modernizing antiquated IT systems across government departments, some of which are still using technology from the Cold War era.
He also emphasizes the importance of maintaining public buildings like schools, hospitals, and prisons, arguing that neglecting maintenance has proven to be a false economy.