In our thoughts on Green Book reform published yesterday we set out ideas for better methods for capturing the benefits multi-faceted, transformational investments www.arup.com/insights/a-n...

And because combined & local authorities don’t have independent fiscal powers they cannot generate the long-term stable revenue streams to underpin private sector investment

One of the reasons we don’t see enough big game-changing projects that combine transport, housing, regen, innovation, skills etc is that the current approach to investment across different govt departments and funding streams is so piecemeal (inc appraisal methods)…..

As @britainremade.bsky.social have pointed out the one mile Digbeth extension to the West Midlands Metro required a TWAO application of 5718 pages across 52 documents (laid end to end the documents would be the same length as the tram extension itself).

www.britainremade.co.uk/backontrack

If it includes a lot of design work for the infrastructure and masterplan, generally required for a full business case, then it is not an unreasonable sum.

Also, don’t forget about ecological surveys, consultation, legal costs etc

3. But there have been longstanding concerns that the Green Book provides a framework that prioritises investment in places that already have successful economies, at odds with the agenda to boost prosperity in all parts of the UK.

For example

⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️

2. The Green Book is HM Treasury's guidance on how to appraise policies, projects and programmes. Most people agree that we need a coherent framework for considering the benefits of government investments to inform decision-making and demonstrate value for money.

16/16. Will Leeds & Bradford get a tram? Will the Humber get investment in big clean energy projects? Will the hourly, slow, uncomfortable rail service I was on when writing this between Leeds and Goldthorpe improve?

15. Because ultimately, outside a small bubble of policy wonks, people won’t care about devo-by-default, integrated settlements, Local Growth Plans and so on. They will want to see tangible improvements and progress.