The government’s Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) has been reduced from more than 200 schemes to around 80 as the National Infrastructure and Service Transmission Authority (NISTA) looks to “focus expert support where it will have the greatest impact”.

The GMPP is a collection of the most complex, high risk and strategically significant projects and programmes. As part of NISTA’s role in supporting better delivery of UK infrastructure and public services, the GMPP will from 1 April be reduced by 120 project to around 80.

Government says a “smaller, more focused portfolio” will provide support and scrutiny “where it is most needed”.

It added that significant reforms to GMPP will ensure “more targeted support from the centre of government” for the most nationally significant and highest‑impact UK projects and programmes.

In recent years, the GMPP – previously managed through the Infrastructure and Projects Authority and now managed and overseen by NISTA - has expanded significantly, reflecting the growing number of large and complex projects delivered across government. 

Departments and delivery bodies will continue to lead their projects as directed by their ministers, reflecting the function’s deep knowledge of their policy areas and systems. This gives leaders who are working most closely with the project clear ownership of decisions, outcomes and accountability for delivery.

NISTA will continue to provide broader support through tools and guidance, deepening its data capabilities and its offer to departments. It will also develop its role earlier in a project, ensuring they are better set up from the outset.

These changes form part of a wider reform programme to speed up delivery, target specialist expertise where it is needed the most, and strengthen departmental decision‑making.

From 1 April, to be included in the GMPP, projects must meet the criteria set out in the Treasury Approval Process guidance, and must also meet all of the following requirements; support a top government priority; have whole-life costs of more than £1bn and be a project that would benefit most from focussed central support and scrutiny. 

Some projects will move out of the GMPP on 31 March as a result of the changes.

Emphasis has been placed on how the project leaving this list will be treated stating: “If a project leaves the GMPP this does not mean it has become less important or less of a priority, 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 requiring HM Treasury approval will continue to have their expenditure scrutinised and will be expected to share project data with NISTA. Projects outside the GMPP will have their assurance managed by departmental teams - strengthening autonomy and responsibility for delivery.

In exceptional circumstances, government may add projects or programmes to the GMPP where they are of particular strategic importance - such as those that are very high risk or underpin critical national infrastructure - and where NISTA’s support is expected to improve delivery confidence.

Government has also set out for the first time a clear definition of “mega projects”. These are programmes with transformational impacts on the economy, society or national security, with whole-life costs above £10bn, which typically will take more than 10 years to deliver.

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.”

Projects remaining on the GMPP list include Manchester Digital Campus, Sizewell C, Great British Energy, HS2 Phase 1, New Hospital Programme, Midlands Rail Hub and Lower Thames Crossing.

Click here for the full updated GMPP portfolio.