With an impeccable sense of timing for the half-term holidays, spending watchdogs the National Audit Office have just issued its overview report into the performance of the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).

As a synopsis of what has transpired over the last four years, it could not really be bettered. Candidates wishing to put them in the running to succeed Sir Bob Kerslake upon his retirement early next year would do well to study this report.