In its scrutiny of public expenditure it has a role before the budget is approved and afterwards in an audit function.
Moreover, to a greater extent than other forms of expenditure, it generates a multiplier effect, especially through its contribution to employment and to the expansion of some other local industries and services.
After examining my income and expenditure, it agreed a loan exactly four times my annual salary.
"It isn't my choice whether government does or doesn't reduce public expenditure, it is doing that".
Given that welfare spending uses up half of councils' housing expenditure, it was bound to take a big hit.
However, any expenditure it makes for political activities may be subject to tax under section 527(f).
Historically, when there is an upturn in advertising expenditure, it tends to rise faster than the wider economy.
Today rural development accounts for 8% of the central government's expenditure, it is the single largest item.
However, the NAO found that the Department for Transport (DfT) was powerless to ensure that the £7bn of expenditure it was underwriting would be spent effectively.
As governments around the world look to cut overall expenditure, it makes sense to ask where we have seen successful cost reductions before.
"Clearly, then, a currency transaction tax could, even under very conservative assumptions, dramatically scale up global public good expenditure," it said.
