Home / Sources / Select Committees / Public Accounts Committee / Resetting government programmes
Index live · Last sync 22 May 2026
Select Committee · Public Accounts Committee

Resetting government programmes

Status: Closed Opened: 29 Mar 2023 Closed: 18 Nov 2023 6 recommendations 19 conclusions 1 report

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 delivering, how or when it …

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Seventy-First Report - Resetting government programmes HC 1233 15 Sep 2023 25 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

4 items
4 Recommendation Seventy-First Report - Resetting govern… Acknowledged

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 programmes have on occasion taken less than three months and …

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
10 Conclusion Seventy-First Report - Resetting govern… Acknowledged

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 problems and set a realistic schedule.29 Factors can result from …

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 …
HM Treasury
11 Conclusion Seventy-First Report - Resetting govern… Acknowledged

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 100 programmes it has the capacity to support, the IPA …

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
12 Conclusion Seventy-First Report - Resetting govern… Acknowledged

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 24 Q 117 25 Qq 11, 17, 97; C&AG’s Report, …

Government response. The government acknowledged that some resets could be avoided, and that external factors can lead to a reset.
HM Treasury

Oral evidence sessions

1 session
Date Witnesses
5 Jun 2023 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 View ↗