Guidance

Managing public money

This publication offers guidance on how to handle public funds.

From:
HM Treasury
PublishedPublished:
14 May 2012
Last updatedupdated:
1613 AprilAugust 2026 — See all updates

Documents

Managing Public Money

PDF, 1.52 MB, 298 pages

Template for special severance cases

MS Word Document, 42.5 KB

Delegated Authority Guidance: Expenditure categories subject to specific controls

PDF, 188 KB, 20 pages

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Template Delegated Authority Letter – Departments

MS Word Document, 67.9102 KB

Template Delegated Authority Letter – Arms Length Bodies

MS Word Document, 102 KB

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Details

This 20232026 version updates the 20212025 version, previous versions may be found via the National Archives.

The public, and Parliament acting on their behalf, have a right to expect that funds raised using powers agreed by Parliament will be used for the purposes intended. Public servants have a demanding fiduciary duty to use public money responsibly.

Much of what managing public money requires is just good common sense, or sound financial management. There are also some specific rules and conventions about how certain things are handled, which ensure that policies, programmes and projects work smoothly and serve their intended purposes.

Updates to this page

Published 14 May 2012
Last updated 1613 AprilAugust 2026 href="#full-history">+— show Show all updates

  1. The template has been added for Arms Length Bodies to use, commencing August 2026. The template has been updated for Template Delegated Authority Letter for departments to use, commencing August 2026.

  2. The updates to Managing Public Money incorporate new guidance on the interpretation of ‘Novel, Contentious and Repercussive’ to Chapter 2 and Annex 2.2. A correction has also been made to a heading in Table A1.1.B. Delegated Authority Guidance: Expenditure categories subject to specific controls added.

  3. Managing public money 2025 version updates the 2023 version.

  4. Updated with the 2023 version.

  5. Template Delegated Authority Letter updated

  6. Managing Public Money updated

  7. Template Delegated Authority Letter added

  8. Annex 2.2, 4.15 and 5.4 updated

  9. Annex 4.15 updated

  10. Updated 'Managing Public Money' document and 2 specimen framework documents added

  11. Updated with revised version of 'Managing Public Money (with annexes)'.

  12. Updated with 'Managing Public Money' and 'Managing Public Money (with annexes)'.

  13. Updated Annex 6.2 in Managing Public Money (including annexes).

  14. Updated template for special severance cases with further guidance on how to complete and return the form.

  15. Removed contact details for Jim Duncan who has since left the post

  16. Updated to reflect several changes to guidance in Annexes. Further details are set out in the 'Dear Accounting Officer' letter dated 8/15.

  17. updated for 2013 version

  18. First published.

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