FRC responds to House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee Report on Auditors

News types: Response, Statements

Published: 30 March 2011

FRC PN 329
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) today welcomes the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee’s report on ‘Auditors: market concentration and their role’.

Stephen Haddrill, Chief Executive of the Financial Reporting Council, said:

“This is a serious and comprehensive report to which we will give full weight in considering how to strengthen the value of audit to the capital markets.

“The Committee has urged the UK to take a lead in the debate about the future of audit. As the home market for some of the world’s largest audit firms, we agree that the UK has a special responsibility to lead this debate to secure the vibrant, internationally competitive market for audit services that investors wish to see and which the public interest demands. We look to the profession, investors and companies to play a full and constructive part in this work.

“We are particularly pleased that several of the Committee’s recommendations are similar to proposals made by the FRC in its Effective Company Stewardship paper, in particular its emphasis on an increased role for audit committees. We will take the Committee’s views fully into account in considering the responses to this consultation”.


The FRC will respond in full to the Economic Affairs Committee’s report in due course.

Notes to Editors


The Financial Reporting Council is the UK’s independent regulator for promoting high quality corporate governance and reporting to foster investment.

Document created under a former FRC operating body.

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