Government's general grant schemes

To achieve greater efficiencies in grant making, the Grants Management Function should: (a) work with departments to gain a better understanding of the reasons for the lower-than-expected take-up of Apply for a Grant, address any significant concerns, and then consider mandating all central government grant schemes which are open to applications to either use Apply for a Grant for new schemes, or explain the reasons for non-compliance.

Ref Page 14, paragraph 21, point a · Implemented Q4 2025/26

To simplify the grant landscape: (c) DLUHC, working with departments, should build upon its ongoing work to consolidate grants schemes for local government, and the Grants Management Function should work with departments to consolidate grant schemes across government where appropriate to deliver better outcomes.

Ref Page 15, paragraph 21, point c · Implemented Q4 2025-26

To maximise the usefulness of government's grants data: (d) the Grants Management Function should work with departments to ensure that grants data are uploaded to the Government Grants Information System in a timely manner before the grants are awarded, and kept up to date throughout the life of each scheme.

Ref Page 15, paragraph 21, point d · Implemented 31/03/2027

To improve grant practitioners' capability, the Grants Management Function should work with departments to: (e) promote take-up of the learning and training opportunities available, including mandating the managers of large, complex or novel grant schemes to have achieved the grants licence to practice or have an equivalent level of practical experience in grant-making.

Ref Page 15, paragraph 21, point e · Implemented 31/03/2027

To achieve greater, proportionate monitoring and evaluation of grant schemes, the Grants Management Function should: (g) continue to work with the Evaluation Task Force to encourage departments to develop proportionate and robust evaluation plans during the grant design phase, including more frequent tracking of the benefits and efficiencies generated by individual schemes.

Ref Page 15, paragraph 21, point g · Implemented 31/03/2027

To achieve greater efficiencies in grant making, the Grants Management Function should: (b) work with the Public Sector Fraud Authority and departments to improve the coverage of initial fraud impact assessments, fraud risk assessments and measurement exercises for grant schemes, as a precursor to supporting government bodies to reduce overpayments.

Ref Page 14, paragraph 21, point b · Implemented 31/03/2027

To improve grant practitioners' capability, the Grants Management Function should (f) explore further opportunities to share good practice, resources and experiences among grant practitioners within central and local government, such as holding in-person network meetings outside of London, and making training and guidance available to local government grant practitioners.

Ref Page 15, paragraph 21, point f · Implemented 31/03/2027

To achieve greater, proportionate monitoring and evaluation of grant schemes, the Grants Management Function should: (h) work with departments and the Evaluation Task Force to explore different approaches to identifying, sharing and using lessons learned, to inform and improve the design of future grant schemes.

Ref Page 15, paragraph 21, point h · Implemented 31/03/2027