The amendment did "no damage whatsoever" to ministers' "general objectives" to reduce expenditure on legal aid, he claimed.

BBC: Ministers' legal aid changes dealt blow by peers

But with another eye on the crucial general elections next year, he liberally raised public expenditure for the coming financial year (2013-14) on welfare schemes such as rural roads, employment guarantee and food security.

BBC: India's budget: A deft balancing act

But if the system in general were providing value for money, America's vast expenditure would at least be reflected in a healthier population than in more frugal countries.

ECONOMIST: Reforming American health care

The Commission quotes evidence given to a House of Lords committee earlier this year by the UK's Comptroller and Auditor General, Sir John Bourn, who said there were 500 accounts representing the expenditure of British central government.

BBC: NEWS | Europe | Why the EU's audit is bad news