Creating a fairer Britain
15 July 2010
Neil Kinghan, Director General of the Equality and Human Rights Commission said:
“I regret that the Commission made mistakes in its first eighteen months and accept the National Audit Office's decision to qualify our accounts as a result. But I welcome the NAO’s recognition of the “immediate and significant changes [the Commission] has made to improve its procurement processes”.
“These accounts relate to the financial period ending in March 2009. Since then the Commission has made significant changes to its senior management team including a new Director General and new Finance Director. We also have a new Board with a stronger Audit and Risk Committee and accountability mechanisms in place. We are confident that these measures are securing more effective financial and corporate management.
“The Commission has already made a real difference for millions of people since it was set up. Now, more than ever, we have a vital role to play in ensuring that in this economic climate, public bodies pay due regard to the law when they implement budget cuts and that the most vulnerable people do not suffer unfairly as a result.
“The Commission’s priority is to deliver value for public money in maintaining our work to protect equality and human rights for everyone in the country.”
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