Auditor General for Scotland. I'm committed to public services that make a difference to people's lives. I report to @SP_PublicAudit and work @AuditScotland
Joined September 2018
- Tweets 425
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- Followers 3,026
- Likes 790
127 Photos and videos
May 28
Progress has been made in cutting the criminal courts backlog and modernising justice services in Scotland.
But a rise in serious cases has put pressure on the justice system and increased the need for reform.
Find my latest report here: bit.ly/criminal_courts_backl…
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The Scottish Public Pensions Agency must be more transparent following delays issuing remedy pension statements.
Around 50,000 retired scheme members don't know if they’re due higher pension payments.
It's unclear if an extended deadline will be met: bit.ly/SPPA_2024-25
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Jan 22
Since the reform of policing in Scotland in 2013 a lot has been achieved.
The service is well managed and led. But there's more to do, especially around workforce planning and management.
My joint report with @hmics: bit.ly/Policing_BV
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People spent 720,000 unnecessary days in hospital in 2024/25.
@scotgov and its partners are focused on reducing delayed discharges.
Now better evaluation is needed to show if initiatives to tackle this problem are improving lives and services: bit.ly/delayed_discharges
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Stephen Boyle retweeted
Delayed discharges affect people’s physical and mental health.
In 2024/25 people medically ready to leave spent 720,000 unnecessary days in hospital.
@scotgov and its partners must improve how they evaluate initiatives to tackle delayed discharges: bit.ly/delayed_discharges
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16 Dec 2025
There are unacceptable weaknesses in Historic Environment Scotland’s governance arrangements.
It operated for almost six months without a Chief Executive or Accountable Officer, and a substitute should have been appointed by @scotgov.
My new report: bit.ly/HES_2024_25
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4 Dec 2025
This time round @scotgov must deliver on its NHS reform plans.
Despite having more staff and money, the health service remains financially unsustainable.
And a lot of government ambitions are longstanding and yet to be delivered.
My NHS overview: bit.ly/NHS_Scotland_25
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20 Nov 2025
NHS Tayside’s mental health services still face significant issues, impacting patients, their families and staff.
Despite some progress there hasn’t been significant change.
A lack of clarity and complex governance are impeding the changes needed: bit.ly/NHS_Tayside_24_25
ALT Quote from Auditor General, Stephen Boyle: "Urgent action is needed to be clear on the priorities for improvement, with specific actions, timescales, and costs detailed". Image of Stephen Boyle is also shown.
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13 Nov 2025
Devolved taxes are growing Holyrood's budget, but by a lot less than the extra tax people in Scotland have paid.
@scotgov needs to be more transparent about the difference and how it can be addressed.
My new report: bit.ly/devolved_taxes
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4 Nov 2025
NHS Grampian and NHS Ayrshire and Arran are financially unsustainable.
Both needed large @scotgov loans to break even in 2024/25.
While not alone in finding it difficult to achieve financial balance, their situations are currently the most pressing: bit.ly/NHShealthboards25
ALT Quote from Auditor General, Stephen Boyle: "For both health boards, effective leadership and close working with the Scottish Government and other partners will be vital to improving their financial sustainability and the delivery of services." Image of Stephen Boyle is also shown.
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31 Oct 2025
.@scotgov recorded a £1 billion underspend in 2024/25, in part due to one-off savings.
But it needs to shift away from short-term measures to close a near £5 billion gap between its spending plans and available funding.
My report: bit.ly/SG_accounts_25
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8 Oct 2025
Since @scotgov committed to improving Scotland’s care system by 2030, plans have been slow to come together.
Five years on there’s still confusion about what different bodies should be doing to deliver the changes needed.
My report with @AccCommScot: bit.ly/The_Promise_25
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2 Oct 2025
My new report out today looks at the health of Scotland’s college sector.
Audit Director, Mark MacPherson discusses some of the findings in the video below.
Find the report here: bit.ly/colleges_2025
2 Oct 2025
Today’s @AuditorGenScot report says Scotland’s colleges face changing how they operate due to ongoing financial pressures.
Audit Director Mark MacPherson explains more in the video below.
And find the full report here: bit.ly/colleges_2025
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2 Oct 2025
Ongoing financial pressures mean Scotland's colleges face changing how they operate.
With a 20 per cent real terms cut in funding over the last five years, colleges are already delivering less teaching to fewer students.
My report out today: bit.ly/colleges_2025
ALT Quote from Auditor General, Stephen Boyle: "Funding has reduced and the demands on the sector are changing, with fewer older students enrolling, increasing competition from universities, and the impact of digital technology on delivering teaching". Image of Stephen Boyle is also shown.
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25 Sep 2025
UHI Perth needs to finalise and implement a robust financial recovery plan.
The college failed to produce a budget for 2023/24. And it recorded a £2 million deficit in 2023/24.
It has started to address weaknesses, but more needs to be done: bit.ly/UHI_Perth
ALT "It needs to continue to work with the University of the Highlands and Islands and the Scottish Funding Council to strengthen how the college operates...alongside finalising and implementing a robust financial recovery plan". Stephen Boyle, Auditor General. Image of Stephen Boyle is also shown.
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19 Sep 2025
Thank you to @Strath_FAI for inviting me to speak about @AuditScotland ‘s work auditing prevention. Many congratulations your 50th birthday celebrations.
19 Sep 2025
"If we don't make these choices, our successors will be faced with an even tougher environment."
Auditor General Stephen Boyle on the need to prioritise effective prevention of health inequalities. #FAI50
ALT a picture of Stephen Boyle, auditor general, talking at our conference
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18 Sep 2025
Adult Disability Payment is a lifeline for thousands of people in Scotland.
But there is a £141 million gap between available funding and @scotgov spending.
And that gap’s forecast to grow.
My new report out today: bit.ly/ADP_2025
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Stephen Boyle retweeted
9 Sep 2025
On Wednesday, we’ll hear from @scotgov officials on the Scottish National Investment Bank.
This follows evidence sessions earlier this year from @thebankscot and @AuditorGenScot.
📺 Watch live from 9.30am: ow.ly/Qrnx50WTFjG
🔎 Find out more: ow.ly/VTW950WTFjH
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28 Aug 2025
Almost 400,000 properties in Scotland could be affected by flooding by 2080.
Urgent action is needed from the Scottish Government and other public bodies to better protect communities from flooding.
My new report with @AccCommScot: bit.ly/flood_resilience
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10 Jul 2025
Lews Castle College failed to follow accounting standards around its stake in a Gaelic heritage venue.
My report: bit.ly/Lews_Castle_College
ALT Text says: Lews Castle College. Image: An illustration of a magnifying glass on top of a closed book.
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