Resetting government programmes
Public Accounts Committee
Closed
Inquiry
Both the National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee have examined a number of government programmes which have needed a “reset” for various reasons. The Committee will question two panels of witnesses on programmes that have required resets for any reason such as a reset to what the programme is …
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6
Recommendations
19
Conclusions
1
Report
1
Oral session
1
Event
Activity timeline 4 events
18 Nov
2023
2023
15 Sep
2023
2023
Report published
5 Jun
2023
2023
Oral evidence
5 Jun
2023
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
Oral evidence sessions 1 session
5 Jun 2023
View on parliament.uk
Resetting Programmes
Conrad Smewing · HM Treasury
Dr David Marsh · Ministry of Defence
Jim Barton · HM Prisons and Probation Service
Matthew Lodge · Department for Transport
Neil Couling CBE · Department of Work and Pensions
Nick Smallwood · Infrastructure and Projects Authority
Reports 1 report · click to expand
| Title | HC No. | Published | Items | Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seventy-First Report - Resetting government programmes | HC 1233 | 15 Sep 2023 | 25 | Responded |
Recommendations & Conclusions
4 results
4
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Seventy-First Report - Resetting g…
Require HM Treasury and IPA to share insights on programme reset timeframes and review processes
On too many occasions, programmes have suffered from resets being done too quickly. The time needed to undertake a successful reset will vary case-by-case, influenced by factors such as the programme complexity and breadth of the reset. Resets of government …
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Government Response
The government agrees and states it will continue to encourage departments to allow sufficient time for resets, also highlighting the existing IPA ‘response to red’ process. It does not commit to drawing together and sharing specific insights by June 2024.
HM Treasury
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10
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Seventy-First Report - Resetting g…
Poor programme planning and deep-rooted issues contribute to the need for resets.
Various factors, both internal and external to a programme, can contribute to the need for a reset.28 We heard how this can include the programme going off track, the need to improve confidence in supplier delivery, or to resolve technical …
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Government Response
The government agrees with the committee's observations, outlining existing IPA tools and processes for project planning and assurance. By June 2024, the IPA and HM Treasury will review and update relevant guidance and bring all existing guidance together for easier access.
HM Treasury
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11
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Seventy-First Report - Resetting g…
IPA's assurance work has become more rigorous, with refreshed tools and trained reviewers.
The IPA suggested that its assurance work has become much more rigorous – it has republished the assurance workbooks it uses to undertake reviews; refreshed its pool of available independent reviewers; and started to provide them with training.33 For the …
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Government Response
The government acknowledges the committee's observations about the IPA's assurance work by noting that the IPA has recently updated its gate review and assurance mechanisms and is strengthening the ‘response to red’ process for timely interventions.
HM Treasury
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12
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Seventy-First Report - Resetting g…
External factors, political changes, and economic pressures often necessitate programme resets.
Although some resets could be avoided, the IPA suggested there may be occasions where multiple resets are necessary, particularly for long-term programmes.35 External factors, including financial pressures, political changes, technology developments or events 22 Q 11 23 Qq 115, 128–129 …
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Government Response
The government acknowledged that some resets could be avoided, and that external factors can lead to a reset.
HM Treasury
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