The UK government is preparing to release the fourth and final quarterly dataset detailing public spending for the financial year 2025-26. This significant transparency update is scheduled for June 2026 and will be made available through the OSCAR II database, a new system designed to modernise how government financial information is presented to the public.
OSCAR II represents a cross-government endeavour to supersede its predecessor, the original OSCAR (Online System for Central Accounting and Reporting) system, and the Combined Online Information System (COINS). The primary objective of this upgrade is to provide more comprehensive management information internally and to make public spending data more accessible and understandable for citizens and external stakeholders alike.
The upcoming release in June 2026 will complete the transparency reporting cycle for the 2025-26 fiscal year. These regular disclosures are intended to allow greater scrutiny of how public funds are allocated and spent across various government departments and initiatives. By consolidating data from across government, OSCAR II aims to offer a clearer picture of financial flows.
The move towards OSCAR II underscores a broader commitment to fiscal transparency, building on previous efforts to open up government accounts. The accessibility of this data is crucial for researchers, journalists, and the public to monitor government expenditure and hold departments accountable for their financial decisions. The system is designed to provide key insights into where taxpayers' money is being directed.
For those requiring alternative formats due to assistive technology use, the Treasury has provided a contact email, digital.communications@hmtreasury.gov.uk, to request accessible versions of the data. This provision highlights an awareness of the need for inclusive access to public information, ensuring that the transparency drive benefits all citizens.