Closure of Kids Company examined

26 October 2015

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hears evidence from senior civil servants about the charity Kids Company, which closed in August 2015.

Witnesses

Monday 2 November 2015, Boothroyd Room, Portcullis House

At 4pm

Richard Heaton, formerly Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office
Chris Wormald, Permanent Secretary, Department for Education

Purpose of session

This session examines the funding that Kids Company received from government and management of that funding, and the lessons government can learn in its use of taxpayers' money to support the third sector.

Chair's comment

A statement from Meg Hillier MP, Chair of the Committee of Public Accounts:

"It is unbelievable that over 13 years taxpayers' money has been given to Kids Company with little focus on what it was actually achieving for the children it was supporting.
Government repeatedly raised concerns about Kids Company's finances but little action was taken. Despite this, government gave it further grants – funded by the taxpayer.
Government departments have questions to answer about how they held the charity to account for spending taxpayers' hard earned money. We will be questioning key government officials on Monday about their approach."

Further information

Image: PA