Early 2019 has seen some significant National Audit Office reports on local services.

First out of the gate was Local auditor reporting in England 2018 – which examined the work of local auditors across local government and the NHS. We found that qualified conclusions on arrangements to secure value for money are both unacceptably high and increasing, and plans to address weaknesses were not being implemented. Such inadequate or complacent responses to auditor findings suggest local bodies need to strengthen their governance arrangements and improve their performance.