Government major projects demonstrate strong foundations for delivery

Monday, 13 July 2026 08:49

Analysis by NISTA shows delivery confidence across government's most complex and strategically significant projects prior to April 2026 reset of the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) Most projects were rated Green or Amber showing that delivery is likely or feasible for the majority Red-rated projects, many of which reflect the most ambitious and complex programmes in the portfolio, are receiving deeper, more targeted support to help projects get back on track....Request free trial

Analysis by NISTA shows delivery confidence across government's most complex and strategically significant projects prior to April 2026 reset of the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP)
Most projects were rated Green or Amber showing that delivery is likely or feasible for the majority
Red-rated projects, many of which reflect the most ambitious and complex programmes in the portfolio, are receiving deeper, more targeted support to help projects get back on track.

The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) has today (13 July) published its Major Projects Annual Report 2025 to 2026, reflecting a year of significant progress in building the conditions for infrastructure and major project delivery

The Government Major Projects Portflio (GMPP) provides robust oversight of the government's most complex, innovative and high-value projects and programmes. These programmes are integral to the ambition of transforming the UK's social and economic infrastructure set out in the 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy.

Analysis by NISTA shows delivery confidence across government's most complex and strategically significant projects prior to April 2026 reset of the GMPP. The majority of projects were rated Green or Amber showing that delivery is on track.

Red-rated projects, many of which reflect the most ambitious and complex programmes in the portfolio, are receiving deeper, more targeted support to help projects get back on track.

During the review period, 42 projects left the GMPP, with 26 of those having successfully delivered against their objectives, including the Biosecurity, Borders and Trade Programme (by DEFRA), Digitising Social Care (by DHSC) and Drug Testing Services (by the MOJ). A further eight left the GMPP as they no longer met GMPP reporting criteria, one was replaced by successor projects, and seven were brought to early closure. Of the projects that left the portfolio, 17 did so with a Green rating and 21 with an Amber rating.

Since the previous Annual Report published in August 2025, 18 projects have improved from an Amber to a Green rating, while one project has improved from Red directly to Green.

Lucy Rigby MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said:

This Government is building a stronger culture of delivery - raising standards, strengthening capability, and using the power of digital and AI to secure the infrastructure and public services the UK deserves.

Major projects were for too long associated with spiralling costs, endless complexity and delays. Through our 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy published last year, this Government committed to changing that. When projects come up against delivery risks the onus is on Government to act swiftly and decisively to keep things on track.

Becky Wood, Chief Executive of NISTA, said:

Delivering some of the Government's most ambitious and complex programmes is never easy, so it is expected that projects will face different challenges and perform differently at various stages of delivery. These assessments should not be seen as a definitive judgement on whether a project will ultimately succeed or fail. Instead, they provide an early warning, helping us identify risks sooner, understand where pressures are emerging, and work with departments to address issues before they become more serious.

By making better use of performance data, strengthening independent assurance, and providing access to expert advice, NISTA can help ensure that project teams receive the right support at the right time improving the likelihood that major government programmes are delivered successfully for the public.

A snapshot of performance prior to GMPP reset

The report covers the performance of GMPP projects between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026, just before changes to the GMPP implemented by NISTA on 1 April 2026 which created a more streamlined list of 81 of the most nationally significant projects.

The report shows that, at the end of March 2026: 29 projects (15% of the GMPP) were rated Green; 109 projects (58%) were rated Amber; and 34 projects (18%) were rated Red; with 17 projects (9%) exempt from any rating.

Major projects which were previously part of the GMPP and still require HM Treasury approval, and which are not part of the new more condensed GMPP, are now managed through strengthened departmental support functions as part of the Departmental Major Projects Portfolio.

For the first time, NISTA's reporting includes the new mega project' classification for the most complex and strategically significant programmes which typically have a whole-life cost exceeding £10 billion and span multiple parliaments. Three projects were initially granted mega project status: Sizewell C, HS2 and Dreadnought.

NISTA has also introduced new tools to spot and address risks earlier, including its Early Warning System, an AI-powered tool that uses existing GMPP data to identify projects at risk of moving to a Red rating. This is being embedded into review processes and is already providing earlier visibility of delivery risks.

Notes to editors

For the first time, all monetary figures in the report are presented in real terms, using 2024/25 deflators from the Office for National Statistics. As such, they are not directly comparable with those included in previous Annual Reports.
The NISTA Major Projects Annual Report 2025 to 2026 is available on a dedicated page on gov.uk. The 2025-26 portfolio comprised 189 projects with a combined Whole Life Cost of £924.2 billion, which will provide £603.6 billion of monetised benefits over the lifetime of each project.
The Government Major Projects Portfolio Transparency Data 2025 to 2026 is also published alongside this report.
The list of projects that form the revised Government Major Projects Portfolio after 1 April 2026 is on gov.uk.
Ratings represent a snapshot assessment of the project at the time of assessment. They indicate delivery risk at that point and should not be read as a definitive judgement on whether a project will ultimately succeed or fail.
NISTA supports driving up government's capability to delivery major projects, including through its management of the GMPP and its leadership of the Government Project Delivery Function. Departments however retain overall responsibility and accountability for delivering their own individual projects.
Questions about the performance of individual projects referenced in the analysis should be directed in the first instance to the press office of the responsible department.