Information is power, says Denham

Residents will be able to scrutinise Government finances in a bid to make public spending more transparent.

Communities Secretary John Denham has announced plans to simplify Local Spending Reports which provide information about how money is used in each area including funds going to the emergency services, transport and health.

The reports allow householders to see how their taxes are being spent. The new format will make it easier for them to look up specific details. From next summer, the reports will be published online in a clear and user-friendly format that will enable the data to be easily interrogated.

They will include up to date information in greater detail, enhanced regional data and details of specific grants from central to local government.

Mr Denham said: “Taxpayers have a right to know how their hard earned money is being spent. But citizens and councils alike should also be able to easily access the information they need to scrutinise and challenge what that money is delivering.

“The changes we are making will make doing that much easier and is part of a wider transformation in the way that public services are delivered.

“Information really is power in this respect and local spending reports are a key part of the Government’s wider actions to transform public services in line with people’s expectations.”