Whitehall's latest plan to get things done: Less Whitehall

The UK government is striving to streamline its decision-making process by reducing formal consultations. In a recent letter to ministers, Chancellor John Healey, First Secretary of State Louise Haigh, and Attorney General Ellie Reeves highlighted that the "consultation culture" had transformed into an "industry of dither and delay."

They proposed that departments should make decisions swiftly and proceed without unnecessary formal consultations unless legally required, unfair, or deemed necessary by ministers. The government also plans to eliminate thousands of redundant consultation and reporting requirements from statutes, with departments tasked to identify areas for legislative removal.

This initiative aims to decrease bureaucratic delays and boost efficiency. The government's approach differs from its previous £1.2 billion pledge to control consultancy spending, as it extends beyond traditional consultancy services. Ministers are also encouraged to accept higher legal risks when implementing policies, with updated guidance for government lawyers expected soon.

Furthermore, the government intends to extend judicial review reforms to transport, water, and other major infrastructure projects, thereby broadening its scope of reform initiatives.