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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Large and systematic cost increases in government infrastructure investments
The Swedish Transport Administration systematically underestimates the costs of new infrastructure. However, despite the fact that the cost increases are very large, the Government rarely reconsiders its investment decisions, and neither the Government nor the Swedish Transport Administration report on how much costs change, according to an audit by the Swedish National Audit Office (Swedish NAO).
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Energy performance certificates for single-family houses continue to be ineffective
The energy performance certificate system was to lead to energy-efficient buildings. The Swedish National Audit Office (Swedish NAO) audit shows that it has had only minor effects on buyers‘ house choices and owners’ willingness to improve energy efficiency. However, lack of follow-up makes it impossible to see if energy consumption has been affected.
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Appropriate sustainability work at the AP Funds, but more should be done
The state-owned AP Funds conduct appropriate sustainability work in relation to their objectives’, but the Funds should do more to ensure that pension capital contributes to Sweden’s sustainable development goals. The Government should also take measures, according to the Swedish National Audit Office’ (Swedish NAO) audit
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Little benefit from extensive information gathering from municipal social services
Municipalities provide large amounts of information to the system of ‘public performance reports’ in social services. The Swedish National Audit Office (Swedish NAO) notes that only a small part of this information contributes to higher quality, and recommends that the National Board of Health and Welfare review the system.
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Major shortcomings when central government invested billions in public transport in exchange for new housing
In the National Negotiation on Housing and Infrastructure, central government invested SEK 20 billion on regional public transport in exchange for increased housing construction. The Swedish National Audit Office (Swedish NAO) notes that the reference data for costs and the economy had major deficiencies and that the follow-up of the projects has been insufficient. In addition, new homes built as a result of the investments are probably few in number.
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Need to improve cost-effectiveness in the use of medicines
In 2020, the cost of medicines within the pharmaceutical benefits scheme amounted to approximately SEK 34.3 billion, including patient fees. The Government and the Dental and Pharmaceutical Benefits Agency (TLV) can do more to get the most possible health for the tax money that the public sector spends on medicines, according to the Swedish National Audit Office’s (Swedish NAO) audit
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Insufficient supervision of the vehicle inspection market
The state monopoly on vehicle inspection was abolished in 2010. The Swedish National Audit Office (Swedish NAO) audit shows that availability and freedom of choice have increased since then, but prices and complaints have also increased. At the same time, supervision by the Swedish Transport Agency is virtually non-existent.
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The Supreme Audit Institutions of Armenia and Sweden initiate a bilateral partnership
On June 8th, the Audit Chamber of the Republic of Armenia and the Swedish National Audit Office agreed to engage in a bilateral development project until the end of 2023. The engagement aims to support the Audit Chamber’s ambition to be an independent Supreme Audit Institution working in line with the internationally recognized principles and standards for public audit institutions.
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The Government should more clearly steer state-owned companies towards sustainable business
The Riksdag has decided that state-owned companies should be good examples of sustainable business. The Swedish National Audit Office (Swedish NAO) audit shows that the Government needs to clarify, strengthen and follow up its governance if these ambitions are to be achieved.
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The National Audit Office of The Gambia receives prize for best performance audit report
The National Audit Office of The Gambia has been awarded the prize for the best performance audit report in the AFROSAI-E region, the African Organization of English-speaking Supreme Audit Institutions.
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Risk of legal uncertainty in processing of family reunification cases
Deficiencies in the work of establishing the identity of applicants means that the legal certainty of the Swedish Migration Agency’s processing of family reunification cases cannot be guaranteed. The Swedish National Audit Office (Swedish NAO) is now calling for measures from both the Government and the Migration Agency.
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Government agencies less available in non-digital channels
Despite increased digitalisation, many people still need to phone or visit government agencies for assistance with important business. The Swedish National Audit Office's (Swedish NAO) audit shows that the availability of government agencies has deteriorated in non-digital channels.
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Ineffective use of project grants to strengthen emergency preparedness
Each year, central government distributes around half a billion kronor to government projects that are to strengthen Sweden’s emergency preparedness and civil defence. The Swedish National Audit Office’s (Swedish NAO) audit shows that there is a risk that the project grants will be used for regular activities and therefore will not be the reinforcement that was intended.
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Central government administration is growing, despite efficiency improvement efforts
The Government has taken measures to improve administrative efficiency at central government agencies. However, the Swedish National Audit Office’s (Swedish NAO) audit shows that the measures have only had limited effect, and that the Government should intensify its work – for example by enabling increased coordination.
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Continued partnership between the supreme audit institutions of Sweden and Moldova
Auditor General of Sweden and the President of the Court of Accounts of the Republic of Moldova have signed an agreement on continued cooperation. The aim is to strengthen the Court of Accounts’ ability to work in compliance with international principles and standards.
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Major deficiencies in how the State ensures access to veterinary services
The State is responsible for ensuring that there are veterinary services throughout Sweden. The Swedish National Audit Office's (Swedish NAO) audit reveals major deficiencies in governance of these activities, and that the Swedish Board of Agriculture does not ensure competition on similar terms.
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Poor results of the Government’s efforts to expand higher education in shortage occupations
The Government’s extensive efforts to expand higher education programmes in certain shortage occupations have not yielded the desired results. One explanation is that the problem has been a lack of applicants rather than the number of places HEIs provide in different programmes. The Swedish National Audit Office (Swedish NAO) recommends that the Government significantly improves preparation of similar initiatives.
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Unclear benefit from costly transport subsidy
For 50 years the State has invested several hundred million kronor on transport subsidies to companies in the four northernmost counties. However, it is not clear to what extent the money contributes to regional development – or how the subsidy affects the climate, according to the Swedish National Audit Office (Swedish NAO) audit.
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Government evaluations of the effects of industrial policy are not reliable
With few exceptions, outcome evaluations made of industrial policy are not of a high enough quality to draw conclusions on causal links. Only 2 out of 37 audited evaluations reach the required level for the evaluation to be considered reliable, according to the Swedish National Audit Office’s (Swedish NAO) audit.
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Increased focus on sustainability in the National Audit Office's international development cooperation
The National Audit Office's new strategy for international development cooperation has increased the focus on sustainability issues and adapted its methods in response to the Pandemic. The purpose is to promote effective governance and democratic development in developing countries.
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Webinar: The Governments initiatives against labor exploitation.
In a webinar 10th of February at 14.00-15.30, the audit report of the Governments initiatives against labor exploitation will be presented. The National Audit Office has invited representatives from the United Kingdom and Finland to get a picture of how these countries work against labor exploitation.
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Fiscal policy partly in conflict with framework and legislation
The Government mainly follows the fiscal policy framework. But, according to the Swedish National Audit Office, substantially raising the ceiling for central government expenditure in coming years is in conflict with the fiscal policy framework. In addition, by not presenting how the surplus target is to be reached, the Government is not in compliance with the Budget Act.
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Reduced payroll tax for older people – uncertain effects and reporting deficiencies
Lower payroll tax for older people was to lead to increased employment among people over the age of 65. However, it is uncertain whether the tax cut has led to increased employment. The uncertainty is due, among other things, to shortcomings in the Government’s reporting, according to the Swedish National Audit Office’s audit.
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Effective work with guarantees at Sida, but inadequate follow-up
Sida is increasingly using credit guarantees as a tool in its development cooperation. The Swedish National Audit Office assesses that the work is effective, but that follow-up needs to be improved to ensure that the guarantees are fit for purpose.
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Effective review of public service companies
The Swedish Broadcasting Commission’s review of the content of public service broadcasts is largely effective and has the desired result. However, the Swedish National Audit Office (Swedish NAO) recommends that the Broadcasting Commission expands the reasoning behind certain decisions, and works to shorten its processing times.
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The Government overestimates future revenues from energy and environmental taxes
The Government’s calculations of future revenues from energy and carbon taxes do not take sufficient account of the major changes taking place in the climate and energy area. This means that these revenues risk being overestimated and that the assessment of the long-term sustainability of public finances may be misleading, according to the Swedish National Audit Office’s audit.
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Too few community police officers in vulnerable areas
Despite major increases in resources the Police Authority has not been able to ensure minimum staffing levels for community police officers in all vulnerable areas. Shortages of some equipment and little opportunity to share information with social services further hamper the work, the Swedish NAO’s audit shows.
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Major shortcomings in government initiatives to combat labour exploitation
Government initiatives to combat labour exploitation have major shortcomings. The shortcomings exist in all parts of the system, and are mainly due to the fact that the Government has not given the government agencies a mandate and responsibilities to counteract the problem.
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Effective and efficient when computers make official decisions but inadequate controls and follow-up
A Swedish National Audit Office audit shows that it is common for official decisions to be made by computers, called automated decision-making. In most cases, this leads to increased efficiency and legal certainty, but not always. Errors that arise can have major consequences for individuals and reduce confidence in public administration.
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Further bilateral cooperation between the National Audit Offices of Sweden and Kosovo
Today, following productive multi- annual cooperation, the National Audit Office of Sweden and the National Audit Office of Kosovo have furthered the bilateral cooperation by signing the Memorandum of Understanding on Institutional Development Co-operation with the National Audit Office of Kosovo for 2020-2023.
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The Swedish National Audit Office and the Supreme Audit Office of Afghanistan extends cooperation
The Swedish National Audit Office and the Supreme Audit Office of Afghanistan (SAO) have agreed to extend the cooperation. The overall objective is to strengthen public sector auditing in Afghanistan.
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Swedish NAO to cooperate with United Nations Development Programme in Zimbabwe
The Swedish National Audit Office have decided to contribute USD 200,000 to United Nations Development Programme in Zimbabwe. The objective is to further strengthen public sector auditing in line with international standards.
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The Swedish National Audit Office extends the cooperation with General Auditing Office of Liberia
The Swedish National Audit Office has decided to extend the cooperation with the General Auditing Commission of Liberia (GAC). The objective is to further strengthen the quality assurance and quality control of the audits in Liberia.
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Revolving door syndrome a challenge for Finansinspektionen
Finansinspektionen needs to reduce risks linked to the closeness existing between the authority and financial market actors. The Swedish National Audit Office would like to see more training, control and documentation.
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The main objective of the multi-billion elderly care initiative was not achieved
Central government invested a total of more than four billion kronor to improve the quality of municipal health and social care of the elderly. An important component was investment in various quality registers. They did not lead to any permanent quality improvement, but had positive side-effects for individuals, according to the Swedish National Audit Office’s audit (NAO).
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Considerable cost increases for operation and maintenance of railways
The State pays far more for operation and maintenance of railways than is initially agreed, shows a Swedish National Audit Office audit. Worst affected is winter maintenance, where the costs are almost doubled.
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Changes in the Management of the Swedish National Audit Office
After assessing the management of the Swedish National Audit Office (NAO), the Riksdag has concluded that the system previously employed, consisting of three Auditors General, should be abolished. Instead the Swedish NAO is now led by one Auditor General, assisted by a Deputy Auditor General with the main objective being to strengthen the management of the NAO and to clarify the responsibilities for the operations of the Swedish NAO.
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International discussion on audit of donor funds by Supreme Audit Institutions
This week, the INTOSAI Capacity Building Committee, vice-chaired by the Swedish National Audit Office, invited international development actors and supreme audit institutions (SAIs) to webinars on audit of donor funds by SAIs.
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Extensive inefficiency at some prisons
The latest audit by the Swedish National Audit Office shows that many of the prisons run by the Swedish Prison and Probation Service do not use their resources efficiently and effectively. Small prisons and worn and outdated premises provide some explanation. Since the Swedish Prison and Probation Service does not collect necessary data, this has gone undetected for many years.
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Measures required to improve governance of subject teacher education programmes
Programmes for the education of teachers at the upper levels of compulsory school and upper secondary schools have long been criticised for their poor quality. The Swedish NAO audit shows that better governance with clearer division of responsibility, more effective coordination and greater student influence would counter these shortcomings.
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