Original document : https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/local-audit-reform-a-strategy-for-overhauling-the-local-audit-system-in-england

Change description : 2025-04-09 09:30:00: Added Government response to the consultation to overhaul local audit in England. [Policy papers and consultations]

Showing diff : 2024-12-18 11:51:38.374073930 +00:00..2025-04-09 08:33:48.002870387 +00:00

OpenConsultation consultationoutcome

Local audit reform: a strategy for overhauling the local audit system in England

Applies to England

This consultation has concluded

Read the full outcome

Detail of outcome

Government response to the consultation to overhaul local audit in England.


Original consultation

Summary

The document includes a statement of intent and consultation on proposals to overhaul the current local audit system in England.

This consultation closesran atfrom
to

Consultation description

This strategy commits to a series of measures to fix the broken local audit system, including:

  • a local audit vision with eight8 core principles
  • the establishment of a statutory and independent Local Audit Office (LAO), with five5 strategic responsibilities - coordinating the system, contract management, ownership of the Code of Audit Practice, quality oversight and reporting
  • mandating audit committees

The government is also consulting on a number of specific proposals as part of this strategy, including:

  • potential additional functions of the new LAO
  • simplifying financial reporting requirements to ensure they are proportionate
  • improvements to enhance capacity and capability in the local audit sector, such as the introduction of public provision
  • strengthening the relationship between local bodies and their auditor
  • reforming the audit regime

Local government is a devolved matter. This strategy applies to England only.

Email questions or technical problems to: localaudit@communities.gov.uk

Documents

Ways to respond

Updates to this page

Published 18 December 2024
Last updated 9 April 2025 href="#full-history">+ show all updates
  1. Added Government response to the consultation to overhaul local audit in England.

  2. First published.

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Update history

2025-04-09 09:30
Added Government response to the consultation to overhaul local audit in England.

2024-12-18 11:45
First published.