Examples of select committees - PAC

Public Accounts Committee

• Oversees govt expenditure and public spending, holding the govt accountable for its financial decisions

Membership

• Chaired by a senior opposition MP

• 15 members from across all parties

Key cases - 2022 PPE

• Investigation into PPE procurement during COVID-19 (when the govt gave PPE making contracts to random companies who had no experience)

  • Led by Dame Meg Hillier

    • Criticised wasteful spending and lack of oversight in procurement contracts

Key cases - 2023 tax fraud

• Highlighted inefficiencies in HMRC’s approach to tackling tax fraud

Efficacy - membership and transparency

• Has lots of influence due to its transparency and crossparty membership

Inefficacy - findings and implementation of recommendations 

• Findings and recommendations not binding

  • Cannot set policy or prevent future waste- limited to reviewing past spending

  • Govt often delays implementing recommendations