New ‘place-focused’ Green Book to tackle regional bias and support transformational schemes

The Treasury has responded to criticism of transport project appraisal and the way Benefit Cost Ratios are used to judge spending priorities by identifying changes to its infamous ‘ Green Book’. A revised and simplified version is set to be published early next year and trigger support to more place-based initiatives. Peter Stonham looks at the review and the planned changes.

The Treasury’s Green Book Review , published alongside the Chancellor’s spending statement , claims to mark “a new approach to appraisal in the public sector”. It is one which should enable the more effective assessment of place-based interventions, and is expected to have significant implications for transport scheme assessment and funding allocation , particularly in addressing criticisms that current practice disadvantages projects outside the South East . The...

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