2.7 The Major Projects Review Group (MPRG) continues to scrutinise and approve Government's largest and most complex Major Projects. Updated MPRG guidance can be found at Annex [C]
2.8 The Treasury Approval Point (TAP) process now applies to all Departments for all Major Projects that do not qualify for MPRG. The process has been made more flexible so that the approach taken is proportionate to the cost/riskiness of the Major Project. TAP had previously been in pilot phase and used for four departments. Updated TAP guidance can be found at Annex [B].
2.9 Scrutiny and approval of Public/Private Partnerships (PPPs) falls in line with Treasury processes and will also be considered under the TAP framework.
2.10 All Major Projects will therefore be approved through one of the following processes, with spending teams deploying varying levels of scrutiny depending on project cost and risk and the Department's track record for managing project spending.
• Major Projects Review Group
• TAP with panel meeting
• TAP without panel meeting
2.11 Treasury will not normally approve Major Projects unless they have an Integrated Assurance and Approval Plan (IAAP) and have complied with that plan. Integrated assurance and approval is the planning, coordination and provision of assurance activities and HMT approval points throughout the lifecycle of a Major Project. Departments are required to submit a draft IAAP for each Major Project for validation by both the MPA and HMT. Please see more detail on IAAPs attached at Annex [A].
2.12 IUK has been established as a unit within HMT with a remit to coordinate the planning, prioritisation and enablement of investment in UK infrastructure, and to improve the delivery of infrastructure projects. It also holds responsibility for Public Private Partnerships (PPP) policy. IUK will support Treasury approval processes and the MPA, particularly in relation to projects in the infrastructure and PPP sectors.
2.13 Please contact your HMT spending team for more information on revised project approvals.