Court of Auditors with annual report - Personnel costs a permanent problem

In the first volume of its annual report, the Saxon Court of Audit looks at cases of wasted money or inefficiency. However, the auditors also look at the "big picture". "We look at the financial management of the Free State as a whole. At the same time, we have dedicated ourselves to new topics," explained Jens Michel, President of the Court of Audit. He cited the taxation of cryptocurrency as an example.

A recurring topic is the safeguarding of teaching in Saxony's schools, emphasized the President, who will present his report in the state parliament this morning. This includes examples from the years up to 2023, such as major shortcomings in the funding of teachers' overtime. "Personnel costs in the Free State also remain an ongoing issue." Personnel costs were already a focal point last year.

A year ago, Court of Audit Director Isolde Haag suggested a review of tasks and brought barriers and an upper limit for personnel into play. "The only way to control personnel expenditure is through the number of posts," she said at the time. In the meantime, the government has taken initial steps to curb the growth in staff numbers in recent years. The number of civil servants currently stands at around 96,000, a far cry from the previous target of 70,000 positions.