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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Asked by Mike WoodConservativeForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled Answered 8 September 2026UIN 20603

The question

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the FCDO Annual Report and Accounts 2025-26, HC521, of 16 July 2026, page 43, what is Project RESET.

Answered by Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Project RESET is a cross-government programme led by HM Treasury, working with the Cabinet Office, the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority and departments, to reform the spending control and accountability framework. Its purpose is to improve value for money and enable faster delivery of government priorities by giving departments greater autonomy while strengthening their accountability for spending and delivery decisions.

The reforms increase delegated authority for departments, replace separate central controls with a more streamlined and integrated approvals process, and establish clearer expectations for transparency, data sharing and early engagement on complex or high-risk proposals. They also focus central expertise and assurance on the most strategically important major projects, including through a more targeted Government Major Projects Portfolio.

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