Parliamentarians launch inquiry into state effectiveness
The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Project Delivery has launched an inquiry to examine how the civil service is organised and equipped to deliver Government-sponsored infrastructure projects.
The Government’s capacity to build things that improve people’s lives is fundamental to achieving its ambitions, from economic growth and reducing regional inequalities, to improving public services. Yet too often, major infrastructure projects run over time and over budget, with critical delivery capacity and expertise fragmented and outsourced. This weakening of public sector capacity creates a disconnect between policy ambition and implementation, limits institutional learning and strategic capacity, and ultimately undermines public trust in Government to deliver on its promises.
Across the world, project delivery expertise is included throughout the policymaking process – from strategy, planning and procurement through to construction and delivery. We can learn a lot from different approaches, but ultimately, what is it that the UK needs to address to better embed delivery culture into the machinery of government?
This inquiry will investigate how we can bridge the gap in Government between policy development and project delivery, embedding project delivery expertise within the State to ensure that infrastructure projects are delivered effectively, generate maximum economic and social value, and contribute to a coherent long-term national strategy.
Following the APPG’s report on improving the delivery of national infrastructure projects, this inquiry will collect evidence on the specific challenges facing government-led projects, the role of the National Infrastructure and Service Delivery Authority (NISTA) and how we can embed project expertise at every stage of the civil service, from policy design to on-the-ground execution.
Call for Evidence
The inquiry welcomes written submissions from industry experts, project professionals, academics, businesses, and other stakeholders. Please clearly state your name, occupation and organisation. Please state if you would prefer not to be referenced in the final report.
Responses should be limited to 2000 words and sent to contact@appgprojectdelivery.org as a Word document or email. You do not need to answer all of the questions. The deadline for submissions is Monday 7th December, 11:59 PM
Key Questions:
How can the Government better bridge the gap between policy development and project delivery?
What are the major challenges facing the civil service when delivering Government-sponsored projects?
What changes could the civil service make to support the delivery of projects more effectively from policy design through to implementation?
Do Ministers and senior officials have a sufficient understanding of project delivery and their role in enabling successful outcomes? If not, what additional support, training or accountability mechanisms are needed?
How can Government projects be depoliticised from partisan politics and electoral cycles? What is needed to do so?
Does the civil service have the required skills, experience and professional capability needed to deliver Government-sponsored projects? Where are the most significant gaps, and how can these be addressed?
How can the civil service better recognise, value and reward delivery expertise alongside policy expertise?
How can the civil service work more effectively with the private sector to improve project outcomes? What role could external specialists, short-term tours of duty and taskforces play in supporting delivery and scrutiny?
What examples of good practice exist within Government-led projects, and what lessons can be learned from both successful and unsuccessful examples? Are there any international approaches to Government-led projects which the UK could learn lessons from?
What role can devolution play in delivery of major projects, and is local government set up to deliver where central government cannot?