Book Description
This NAO report evaluates the quality of Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs) produced by the Department of Health and the Department for Communities and Local Government, and considers how these departments are seeking to raise standards and improve their use. The aim of RIAs is to assess the need for, and impact of, proposed regulations and amendments to existing regulations. They are a tool to help policy makers understand the consequences of possible Government regulation. RIAs are required for all forms of government intervention that impose, or reduce, costs on businesses, the third sector or the public sector. The NAO concludes that RIAs were not always being used effectively. That they often did not form an integral part of the policy making process, from initial development through to implementation and review. The quality of RIAs as used by both departments was mixed, with assessment of costs and benefits the weakest area and insufficient consideration of the impact of regulations following implementation. Further, RIAs were often not commissioned or used early enough in policy formation. Also, RIAs were only occasionally used by Parliamentary Committees and to inform Parliamentary debate. Among the recommendations, set out by the NAO, include: that RIAs should consider more explicitly the impacts of legislation when it comes into force; that Departments should ensure their guidance, training and procedures emphasise the need for high quality analysis; that Departmental RIAs need to ensure there are clear statements on how and when post-implementation reviews will be conducted and that Departments need to develop a targeted package of training and support which integrates RIAs into mainstream policy development.
