Communication and media
Listed below are the latest news articles published on the Swedish NAO website. Previous news related to our reports and review results can be accessed from our reports page or by using the website search in the page header.
News articles
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Klimatklivet: A comprehensive environmental initiative with deficiencies in efficiency and reporting
Klimatklivet is a comprehensive environmental initiative that was introduced 2015. The audit by the Swedish National Audit Office reveals that the aid is not cost-effective, and that the government's reporting to the Riksdag has been too positive.
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Lacking basis for long-term planning and policy decisions
Long-term social planning and policy decisions are often based on future scenarios produced by government agencies. The Swedish National Audit Office’s audit shows that there are significant differences between the government agencies’ scenarios, and that this can have consequences for the weighing and prioritisation of various government initiatives.
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The safety work of the museums falls short
The national central museums do not always have control over which objects they have in their collections, where these items are located, or the condition they are in. Furthermore, the museums do not implement sufficient measures to prevent theft and vandalism, and find it difficult to achieve the desired level of protection against long-term destruction.
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Shortcomings in state support to municipal alcohol and environmental inspections
Sweden's municipalities carry out supervision in several areas. For the supervision to be of equivalent value throughout the country, state authorities must support the municipalities with guidance. The audit shows that there is room for improving the guidance to alcohol and environmental inspections.
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The governance of the higher education agencies UHR and UKÄ should be more closely coordinated
To clarify the roles in the area of higher education, two new government agencies were created in 2013, and three old ones were dismantled. The Swedish National Audit Office’s audit reveals that the reform has largely achieved its objectives, but that the governance of the two agencies should be more closely coordinated.
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Shortcomings in the work to prevent the dissemination of national tests
The audit of the Swedish National Audit Office indicates that the Swedish National Agency for Education has had great difficulty in dealing with the increasing dissemination of national tests. Improvements have been made in the course of 2018, but certain measures will not be in place until 2019.
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Good results from the Swedish National Audit Office’s international development cooperation
The Swedish National Audit Office’s international development cooperation has contributed to strengthening supreme audit institutions and improving transparency and accountability, according to the report on results delivered to the Swedish parliament. Efforts are increasingly focused on supreme audit institutions in fragile states and young democracies.
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The least expensive alternatives are rarely reviewed in large infrastructure investments
Although the Swedish Transport Administration is supposed to review alternative measures for renovations and new construction, this is only done in half of the infrastructure projects. The Swedish National Audit Office (Swedish NAO) is now recommending the Government to clarify what applies.
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Small positive effects of extended choices for upper secondary school
The Swedish National Audit Office’s new audit report shows that the extended opportunities to choose an upper secondary school have had small but positive effects on the future incomes and level of education of pupils. The changes have been most significant for children of parents with a low level of education.
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Significant differences in the penalties of the Swedish Unemployment Insurance Funds in the event of negligence or misconduct
There are significant differences in how often the various unemployment insurance funds administer penalties when unemployed persons fail to actively seek jobs or break the rules in other ways. The Swedish National Audit Office recommends that Swedish Government and the Swedish Unemployment Insurance Board (“Inspektionen för arbetslöshetsförsäkringen,” or “IAF”) ensure that the unemployment insurance funds receive better guidance on how to deal with the regulations.
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Reduced VAT on food is not a cost effective measure
The VAT on food was reduced in 1996 in order to enhance the purchasing power of low-income earners and families with children. The audit of the Swedish National Audit Office indicates that other measures can achieve the same result – at half the cost. Thus, the measure is not cost effective.
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Certain deficiencies in the state's sale of Nordea
The sale of the state's Nordea shares was largely handled in a commercial manner, as per the requirements determined by the Riksdag. However, the Swedish National Audit Office has identified deficiencies in the planning, implementation and reporting processes.
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The reliability of official statistics is threatened by shortcomings in municipal accounting and reporting
Shortcomings in the municipalities’ annual reports and reporting to Statistics Sweden (SCB) constitute a threat to the reliability of the Annual Municipal Accounts (Räkenskapssammandraget, RS), which is used for designing government fiscal policies. The Swedish National Audit Office recommends a tightening of checks and procedures when the information is collected by SCB.
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Clear shortcomings in the design and implementation of the Rural Development Program
The Rural Development Program is intended to develop rural areas, but its design has made it difficult to achieve its objectives. In addition, the responsible authorities have not enjoyed adequate conditions to be able to perform their duties, and there have been no follow-up studies or evaluations that can contribute to improvements during the current program period or in the future.
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Unclear effects of investment aid for special housing for the elderly
The aid granted to build special housing for the elderly has not been effective. The most recent audit by the Swedish National Audit Office indicates that the problem has now been passed on to a new aid package disbursed since 2016. The new aid does not have a time limit.
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Investment savings account: a simple form of saving that has led to billions in forgone tax revenue
The introduction of investment savings accounts has made it easy to save and invest in shares. However, the audit of the Swedish National Audit Office reveals that these accounts may have cost the central government SEK 42 billion in forgone tax revenue.
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Risk of non-uniform assessments regarding sick leave for mental illness
In order to increase uniformity in the assessment of sick leave, the Swedish Social Insurance Agency’s use of the insurance medicine decision support should be improved in several areas, including with regard to persons with multiple ailments.
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Cost increases and delays in implementing a new signal system for the railway
The costs of developing a new signal system for the Swedish railway have almost tripled, and there is a risk of further increases down the line. At the same time, the audit by the Swedish National Audit Office reveals that delays and deficiencies in the planning have entailed extra efforts in the current, outdated signal plant in order to avoid problems for rail traffic prior to the transition.
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Deficiencies in the Government’s governance of public enterprises
The Government should draw up criteria for when a public enterprise is an appropriate corporate form. In addition, the Government should review the regulatory framework for public enterprises so that it is relevant and up to date, states the Swedish National Audit Office.
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Shortcomings in government agencies’ procurement of consultancy services
There is room for improvement when it comes to management in the procurement of consultancy services by government agencies. Examples include areas such as accounting, coordination, needs analyses and follow-up. Furthermore, the audit by the Swedish National Audit Office reveals that the government framework agreements are not used to their fullest extent.
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The interest rate swaps of the Swedish National Debt Office have saved the state SEK 1.1 billion - but the reporting is inadequate
To keep costs low when the state borrows money, the Swedish National Debt Office uses the financial instrument of interest rate swaps. The audit of the Swedish National Audit Office shows that this has led to savings of SEK 1.1 billion since 2003, but the reporting of profits from the use of swaps is clearly inadequate.
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Improvement opportunities for the protection of valuable forest
Deficiencies in initiatives, knowledge and the coordination of statistics have rendered the protection of valuable Swedish forest less effective than it otherwise could be. This is one of the conclusions of the audit conducted by the Swedish National Audit Office, which is being published today.
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Swedish National Audit Office initiates cooperation with the SAI of Liberia
The Swedish National Audit Office has concluded a cooperation agreement with the supreme audit institution (SAI) in Liberia, the General Auditing Commission (GAC). Among other things, the agreement aims to assist the GAC in strengthening its financial audit and working against corruption.
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The Swedish NAO is embarking on a collaboration with Afghanistan
The Swedish NAO has been tasked by the Riksdag to run international development cooperation projects on audit-related activities. The Swedish NAO is now embarking on a collaboration with the Supreme Audit Office of Afghanistan (SAOA) to help strengthen its ability and capacity.
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Deficiencies in processing research and innovation funds by the Swedish Transport Administration
The Swedish Transport Administration has not had sufficient control of its research funds, shows the Swedish National Audit Office audit. The deficiencies include risk analysis, administrative procedures and management of taxpayers’ money.
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Development opportunities for the Swedish Armed Forces’ regional staffs
At an overall level the Swedish Armed Forces’ regional staffs carry out their tasks expediently, but at higher levels of conflict their work is restricted by shortcomings in conditions and methods, according to the Swedish NAO’s audit.
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Weak protection against corruption at Swedish embassies and consulates
The protection against corruption and other fraud in migration activities at Sweden’s missions abroad is weak and could be strengthened. This applies in particular to the work of discovering fraud and investigating reported fraud, shows the Swedish NAO’s audit.
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Poor knowledge of how the Swedish Public Employment Service's preparatory training scheme for newly arrived immigrants works
Almost 40 per cent of participants in preparatory training for newly arrived immigrants have left the Swedish Public Employment Service (PES) after four years. Of those fewer than one in three has a job, but many of them were neither working nor participating in labour market measures. Among those who are registered with the PES after four years, almost one in four has some type of employment.
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Major overestimation of the number of participants in new labour market policy measures
Between the years 2006–2015 the Government systematically overestimated the number of future participants in new labour market measures. This has meant ineffective use of the Swedish Public Employment Service's appropriation and increased risk of incorrect priorities, shows the Swedish National Audit Office audit.
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Municipal reporting of costs needs to be adapted to new demands for reliability
If Sweden’s municipalities used common policies to account for costs, comparisons between municipalities with different organisations would be facilitated. In addition, the risk of manipulation of the equalisation system for costs associated with the Act concerning Support and Service for Persons with Certain Functional Impairments (LSS) would be reduced, shows the Swedish National Audit Office audit.
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Unclear conditions for supply of food and medicinal products in an emergency situation
The Government and responsible authorities have not created sufficient conditions for efficient supply of food and medicinal products in the event of an emergency. The Swedish National Audit Office notes that clearer objectives and division of responsibility are necessary, among other things.
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Deficiencies in higher education institutions’ provision of premises
Half of all state higher education institutions have no current plan for provision of premises and thus risk non-compliance with the Government’s requirements or current regulations, shows the Swedish National Audit Office audit.
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Risk of legal uncertainty for sick leave for mental ill health
Doctors in primary care have great difficulty in living up to the Social Insurance Agency’s requirements for sickness reporting for mental ill health. The Swedish National Audit Office’s latest audit shows that this risks leading to inconsistent and legally uncertain application of regulations when people who are unwell apply for compensation.
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Housing allowance is a debt trap for households with low incomes – a review is necessary
The housing allowance recovery system leads to low-income families with children frequently getting into debt. The Swedish National Audit Office audit shows that the changes recently proposed are a step in the right direction, but that this form of benefit as a whole should be reviewed.
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Worse health and finances when sickness and activity compensation is refused
The findings of the Swedish National Audit Office’s latest audit indicate that the rules for sickness and activity compensation should be changed, so that more people can receive compensation. According to Auditor General Stefan Lundgren, the current rules are far too strict, bearing in mind the negative consequences a refusal has on individuals’ health and finances.
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Risk of incorrect financial compensation to municipalities for central government reforms
Deficient application of the municipal financing principle means that municipalities risk incorrect financial compensation when central government reforms are implemented. The Swedish National Audit Office audit shows that this may ultimately force municipalities to reorder priorities in their activities.
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Police intelligence sharing at regional level should develop further
The Swedish NAO has audited whether the Police Authority and the Swedish Security Service share intelligence effectively. The audit findings are positive overall, but conditions at regional level should be developed.
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Over-utilisation of the dental care subsidy scheme
The Swedish National Audit Office audit shows that the national dental care subsidy is over-utilised due to overtreatment by dentists. Improved controls and stricter sanctions should therefore be considered.
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Extended assignment for Alexandra Popovic in international auditing standards forum
The Swedish National Audit Office’s Alexandra Popovic has been a member of the Forum for INTOSAI Professional Pronouncements (FIPP) since 2015. The Forum is an expert group whose mission is to ensure that international standards for public auditing maintain high quality and provide a coherent framework for how public auditing is to be conducted.
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The Government's corporate governance of enterprises with a public policy mandate needs improvement
In order to give the enterprises with a public policy mandate better prerequisites to create public utility, the Government must improve its corporate governance. The Government should also improve the monitoring and reporting of how well the enterprises fulfil their assignment, and highlight conflicts between policy assignments and financial yield.
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