Government accounts show 'gob smacking' costs

Estimates showing £10.9bn in unpaid tax was written off and medical negligence could cost £15.7bn are "gob smacking", says the Commons spending watchdog.

The public accounts committee has published its verdict on the new Whole of Government Accounts.

The report also predicts the long-term costs of decommissioning nuclear power stations could hit £56.7bn while public sector pensions could cost £1,132bn.

The chairman of the public accounts committee, Margaret Hodge, said the figures were staggering and it was important to make them public.