Government needs ‘ruthless focus’ not ‘everythingism’, think tank argues
26 Mar Project Delivery

Government needs ‘ruthless focus’ not ‘everythingism’, think tank argues

Reform says belief that all projects and policies can aid all objectives is crippling delivery
by Jim Dunton
First app version of GOV.UK website launches
01 Jul Project Delivery
First app version of GOV.UK website launches
Mega projects: Delivery bodies given freedom to set pay for specialist roles
20 Jun Project Delivery
Mega projects: Delivery bodies given freedom to set pay for specialist roles
Keir Starmer asks cab sec to examine damning HS2 review's implications for civil service
19 Jun Project Delivery
Keir Starmer asks cab sec to examine damning HS2 review's implications for civil service
‘Radically’ shorter Green Book will support place-based budgeting and transformational change
11 Jun Project Delivery
‘Radically’ shorter Green Book will support place-based budgeting and transformational change
Treasury announces results of review into its guidance on appraising policies and projects
From the archives: Peter Unwin on reaching the Kyoto climate change agreement, the problem with super-departments and how best to reform government
02 Jun Project Delivery
From the archives: Peter Unwin on reaching the Kyoto climate change agreement, the problem with super-departments and how best to reform government

The outgoing chief executive of The Whitehall & Industry Group – and a former senior civil servant in several departments – sits down with Suzannah Brecknell to discuss international negotiations, super departments, and the perils of hierarchies
Departments getting better at evaluating major projects
24 Apr Project Delivery
Departments getting better at evaluating major projects
One-third of major projects now have a high quality evaluation plan in place, compared to just 8% in 2019
Former DfT director appointed as NISTA chief exec
17 Apr Project Delivery
Former DfT director appointed as NISTA chief exec
Becky Wood, who joins the new body from EY, was senior responsible officer for Crossrail and other major rail projects
Continuing overspends on major capital projects in Northern Ireland dubbed 'unacceptable'
08 Apr Project Delivery
Continuing overspends on major capital projects in Northern Ireland dubbed 'unacceptable'
Urgent review of NICS Board needed, NI Public Accounts Committee says as £3bn overspend revealed
Home Office pledges ‘proper due diligence’ for new asylum sites
01 Apr Project Delivery
Home Office pledges ‘proper due diligence’ for new asylum sites
Former perm sec Matthew Rycroft sets out checks and balances introduced after “dysfunctional” culture that wasted millions of pounds
DfT says revised business case for HS2 ‘won’t be published until next year’
11 Mar Project Delivery
DfT says revised business case for HS2 ‘won’t be published until next year’
Department pushes back timelines for responding to MPs’ questions about benefits troubled high-speed rail project will deliver
Reeves: Green book refresh will ‘deliver fair hearing' for all regions
29 Jan Project Delivery
Reeves: Green book refresh will ‘deliver fair hearing' for all regions
Green Book update to report back in June Spending review
Evaluation Task Force flags new guidance on AI tools
28 Jan Project Delivery
Evaluation Task Force flags new guidance on AI tools
Supplement to Treasury's Magenta Book aims to "enhance safety and confidence" in departments' adoption of new technologies
Starmer vows to curb 'NIMBY' legal challenges to infrastructure projects
23 Jan Project Delivery
Starmer vows to curb 'NIMBY' legal challenges to infrastructure projects
Planning reforms will give campaigners just one chance to challenge major projects in the courts, PM says
NISTA: PM sets out machinery of government changes underpinning new infrastructure body
21 Jan Project Delivery
NISTA: PM sets out machinery of government changes underpinning new infrastructure body
Responsibility for IPA’s functions and responsibilities will move to the Treasury when NISTA gets up and running
GMPP: Number of red-rated major government projects grows
20 Jan Project Delivery
GMPP: Number of red-rated major government projects grows
High inflation, challenging net-zero targets and skills shortages among causes of increase in red-rated major projects
PCS 'extremely concerned' by DWP Caxton House closure plan
08 Jan Project Delivery
PCS 'extremely concerned' by DWP Caxton House closure plan
Union boss raises concerns that staff may be “squeezed into inadequate office space”
Starmer acknowledges skills challenges facing civil service
20 Dec 2024 Project Delivery
Starmer acknowledges skills challenges facing civil service
PM tells MPs he's "focused" on delivering more technology into government
Treasury offers £200k a year for new infrastructure body chief
17 Dec 2024 Project Delivery
Treasury offers £200k a year for new infrastructure body chief
NISTA will combine functions of National Infrastructure Commission and Infrastructure and Projects Authority
IPA chief Nick Smallwood discusses looming change and the ultimate Christmas gift
12 Dec 2024 Project Delivery
IPA chief Nick Smallwood discusses looming change and the ultimate Christmas gift
The Infrastructure and Projects Authority boss also reflects on a "remarkable" 2024
Cabinet Office scraps 'ambitious and expensive' vetting transformation programme
19 Nov 2024 Project Delivery
Cabinet Office scraps 'ambitious and expensive' vetting transformation programme
Perm sec Cat Little says strategy to modernise and improve vetting services has moved away from previous "big bang" approach
Darlington hub gets planning permission
08 Aug 2024 Project Delivery
Darlington hub gets planning permission
Government building, set for completion in 2027, will provide offices for more than 1,400 civil servants
Senior Tory 'tremendously encouraged' by Labour's plans for delivery
12 Jul 2024 Project Delivery
Senior Tory 'tremendously encouraged' by Labour's plans for delivery
Plus, IFS director hails Starmer's "remarkably experienced" ministerial team
'Don’t surprise a politician': PAC chair Meg Hillier on accountability, openness and collecting 'Yes, Minister moments'
01 Jul 2024 Project Delivery
'Don’t surprise a politician': PAC chair Meg Hillier on accountability, openness and collecting 'Yes, Minister moments'
Meg Hillier has spent nearly a decade investigating the ins and outs of government delivery in her role as chair of the Public Accounts Committee. What wisdom can she share with officials and future ministers?
Labour's clean-power pledge will require 'immediate action' from departments, IfG warns
28 Jun 2024 Project Delivery
Labour's clean-power pledge will require 'immediate action' from departments, IfG warns
Think tank says party's accelerated 2030 deadline faces 10 clear barriers Starmer must address if he becomes PM
Think tank makes argument for delivery units across government
18 Jun 2024 Project Delivery
Think tank makes argument for delivery units across government
Reform paper makes series of recommendations to tackle barriers to effective delivery
Home Office replacement for 'defective' IT system delayed again
13 Jun 2024 Project Delivery
Home Office replacement for 'defective' IT system delayed again
Concerns raised that government has not learned lessons from Windrush scandal
Chisholm to become UK chair of energy giant EDF
12 Jun 2024 Project Delivery
Chisholm to become UK chair of energy giant EDF
Alex Chisholm led BEIS when it struck Hinkley Point C deal with energy giant in 2016 but watchdog says risk of foul play is minimal