Help not hindrance - the future role of PAC

Seminar in which Margaret Hodge MP, newly elected chair of the Public Accounts Committee, introduced her plans to change the way the committee works.

About the Seminar

Margaret Hodge's plans include broadening the range of witnesses the PAC calls and moving away from an overly confrontational approach.

The aim, during a period of deep spending cuts, is to foster more constructive accountability and a more collaborative relationship between the committee and witnesses.

The Panel

Respondents included:

• Lord Michael Bichard (ex Permanent Secretary and Former Executive Director of Institute for Government)
• Sam Macrory (Political Editor, House Magazine)

Reaction

• FT: Hodge warns on ministerial accountability [free registration]
• The Express: Whitehall blunders 'cost us millions'
• Publicservice.co.uk: Public sector lacks 'effective' people
• Accountancy Age: Hodge outlines Public Accounts Committee revolution
• eDemocracy Blog: Some modest proposals for better accountability

More information

• Read a transcript of Margaret Hodge's speech (PDF, 775KB)
• View photographs of the event on Flickr
• The IfG Blog: Public Accounts Committee: from bear pit to forensic forum