LONDON, March 31 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:

* The GMPP is a collection of the most complex,high riskand strategically significant projects and programmes. * As part of NISTA's role in supporting better deliveryof UK infrastructureand public services,wehaveprioritisedstrengthening one of the most fundamental levers in government delivery; the GMPP. * From 1 April 2026, the refreshed GMPP will reduce from over 200 projects to around 80 - a smaller, more focused portfoliowillprovide support and scrutinywhere it is most needed.

Significant reforms to the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP), announced today, will ensure more targeted support from the centre of government for the most nationally significant and highest‑impact UK projects and programmes.

The reforms willbetterdrivedepartmental accountability and improve value for money for taxpayersthroughfocusedsupportin priority areas, resulting inbetterdelivery ofourvital infrastructure and public services underpinningthe government's growth agenda.

In recent years, the GMPP-previously managed throughthe Infrastructure andProjectsAuthorityand nowmanaged and overseen byNISTA -has expanded significantly, reflecting the growing number of large and complex projects delivered across government.

To ensure central oversightremainsproportionate and targeted, government is refocusingcentralsupport.From 1 April 2026, thesize of theGMPP will bereduced fromover200 projects toaround 80.

A smaller, more focused GMPP will allow NISTA to targetexpert advice and assurancewhere it adds most value,strengthening confidence in the delivery of benefits from government investments.

Departmentsand delivery bodieswill continue to lead their projects as directed by their ministers, reflectingthefunction'sdeep knowledge of their policy areas andsystems.This givesleaderswho are working most closely with the projectclear ownership ofdecisions,outcomesand accountability for delivery.

NISTA will continue to provide broader support through tools and guidance, deepening its data capabilities anditsoffer to departments. It will also develop its role earlier inaproject, ensuringtheyare better set up from the outset.

These changes form part of a wider reform programme to speed up delivery, target specialistexpertisewhere it is neededthemost, and strengthen departmentaldecision‑making.

How the GMPP is changing:

* The refreshed GMPP comprisesjust over 80projects. As theGMPPevolvesover timeand projects leave the portfolio whenappropriate,we expect the number of projectstomove within a limited range over time. * From 1 April, to be included in the GMPP, projects must meet the criteria set out in the Treasury Approval Process guidance,andmustalsomeetall ofthe followingrequirements;support a top government priority;have whole-life costs of more than £1 billion;andbe a project that would benefit most fromfocussedcentral support and scrutiny. * Some projects will move out of the GMPPon31 Marchas a result ofthese changes.If a project leaves the GMPPthisdoes notmean it has become less important or less of apriority, and departments will continue to lead delivery, drawing on tools and guidance still provided through NISTA as well as insights drawn from data. * Projects not on the GMPP but still requiringHMTreasury approval will continue to have their expenditure scrutinised and will be expected to share project data with NISTA.Projectsoutside theGMPPwill havetheirassurance managed by departmental teams - strengthening autonomy and responsibility for delivery.

In exceptional circumstances,governmentmay add projects or programmes to the GMPP where they are ofparticular strategicimportance - such as those that arevery highrisk or underpin critical national infrastructure - and where NISTA'ssupport is expected to improve delivery confidence.

Government has also set outfor the first timea clear definition of"mega projects".These areprogrammes with transformational impacts on the economy,societyor national security, with whole-life costs above £10 billion,which typically willtakemore than 10 years to deliver.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury James Murray said:

For too long, projects have been run through overly complex systems that slow decisions down and blur accountability.

Refocusing the GMPP means we can direct specialist expertise to the most complex, high-risk and strategically relevant projects - so that we deliver faster, improve value for money, and strengthen public services in ways people will feel.

Our Plan for Growth is about building a stronger UK - unlocking investment and opportunity across every nation andregion anddelivering modern infrastructure and better public services.

Chief Executive of NISTA Becky Wood said:

Delivering the government's priorities is underpinned by strong delivery right across the project system. These reforms simplify oversight, sharpen responsibility in departments, and focus expert support where it will have the greatest impact.

Refocussing our GMPP means that NISTA can provide more targeted and agile support as national priorities evolve and risks change. We will also be working more closely with those projects at the earliest stages that are likely to be nationally critical, ensuring projects can be set up to succeed from the outset.

We continue to support departments with clear standards, practical tools, high‑quality training and shared learning - ensuring teams across government have what they need to deliver successfully.

Continuing support for delivery across government

Project delivery professionals will continue to lead and deliver their projects and programmes, drawing on theirexpertiseand professional judgement.

NISTAremainscommitted to strengthening the Government Project Delivery Function across thewhole systemby deepening capability -providingexpert advice, targeted training for Senior Responsible Owners, and practical tools and guidance for wider professionals.

Itwill also work closely withdepartments to better understand how non‑executive roles and the boards of the arm's‑length bodies that are essential partners in delivering the nation's infrastructure - particularly across the regulated sectors of energy, water, transport, and housing - can support accountable officers and the overall assurance approach to delivery.

NISTA is also deepening its own capability and what we can offer to projects across the GMPP and beyond, ensuring we harness the data we gather to share insights, better predict challenges in advance, and share lessons in real time through improvements in data, analysis and insights.

Government investment and commitment to major projectsremainsa priority, supporting delivery of vital infrastructure and public services and driving economic growth across the UK.

Notes to editors

* The updated GMPP portfolio is available here. * The Government made the commitment to reduce the GMPP to 80-100 projects in the "Office for Value for Money: Reforming the spending control and accountability framework" on 26 November 2025. * Information on government 'mega projects', which form part of the GMPP, is available here * Refocussing the GMPP will help NISTA deliver the government's 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy, which sets out a long-term plan for investment in infrastructure and ensures funding is spent effectively and efficiently, marking a new approach to how projects are planned and delivered. * NISTA will work with partners across government and industry to implement the strategy across the whole of the UK.

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.