Parliamentary authority to spend money

Details of how we apply for money to carry out our work

Supply estimates

Supply estimates are how we ask Parliament for permission to spend money. We publish a Main Supply Estimate around the start of each financial year.   

Supplementary estimates

Supplementary estimates ask for permission to spend money above the level already agreed within a financial year.

Votes on account

Votes on account provide us with money to carry on our business in the early months of the financial year, until Parliament has agreed Main Supply Estimate for the year.

Statements of excess

Statements of excess ask for Parliament’s approval if we are to spend over the amount it has agreed we can spend in a financial year.

Value for money reports

The law says that the National Audit Office (NAO) must provide a value for money report on our activities for consideration early in each new Parliament.