UK regulator Ofcom has branded comments made by an influential committee of MPs that it has a lack of focus on value for money as “unfounded and without justification”.
Margaret Hodge MP, chair of the UK’s Public Accounts Committee, accused Ofcom of…
UK regulator Ofcom has branded comments made by an influential committee of MPs that it has a lack of focus on value for money as “unfounded and without justification”.
Margaret Hodge MP, chair of the UK’s Public Accounts Committee, accused Ofcom of being “poor at spelling out what it intends to achieve with the money it spends,” in light of an independent review by the National Audit Office (NAO).
Although the NAO report was broadly positive about the regulator, it highlighted a lack of articulation in the goals and processes of its complex remit.
“Ofcom has reduced its overall expenditure each year since its creation and we have seen many positive indicators in communications markets,” said Amyas Morse, head of the NAO.
“In order to demonstrate that it is delivering value for money, however, Ofcom should demonstrate sharper objectives and metrics to better link its costs with the outcomes it achieves.”
The NAO report also revealed Ofcom spends more than £70m managing the UK’s radio spectrum, which generates approximately £200m a year for the government.
Responding to the report, an Ofcom spokesman said: “Ofcom’s budget and performance measures are contained in its annual reports, which are approved by the NAO and we take great care to publish and report on a full range of outcomes which matter to consumers and we are confident that our work has delivered clear benefits across the communications sector.”
