Treasury found ‘lots of positives’ in virtual spending review process

Director general of public spending says remote work enabled people to be brought together more quickly

Treasury HQ in central London    Credit: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

HM Treasury found “lots and lots of positives” in conducting the recent Spending Review process virtually, according to the department’s public spending leader.

The review took place in November and allocated cash to departments to fund programmes and investments over the next year. A three-year comprehensive review had been planned but was postponed on account of the demands of coronavirus response – the second year in a row this has happened, after Brexit caused the full review to be replaced by a one-year stopgap measure in 2019.

Another impact of the pandemic was that much of the work that went into the review was conducted via a computer screen, rather than in-person meetings.

Cat Little, the Treasury’s director general of public spending, said: “We did nearly all the negotiations virtually, with our ministers in the Treasury and departments in their buildings or wherever they were located, so that was different. And we ended up doing a lot of the publication and the development that happens in decision-making at the end remotely as well.”

Despite the challenges, this method also brought significant benefits, Little told PublicTechnology sister publication Civil Service World in an exclusive interview.


Related content


“I was able to get experts in a virtual room much quicker and much more efficiently than we would have been able to if we were all physically located at the Treasury, and it helped with a lot of the cross-government interactions,” she said. “We worked very closely with other functions and with the Cabinet Office, and with departmental experts, so it was brilliant to have the flexibility to access all of that in a virtual environment, and it was very fast paced.”

The review set aside a cumulative £600m to upgrade legacy IT at four departments: HM Revenue and Customs (which £268m); the Home Office (£232m); the Department for Education (£64m); and the Ministry of Justice (£40m).

In addition to this, Little and Cabinet Office permanent secretary Alex Chisholm also co-chaired a panel on the use of “technology, data and automation” across government.

“It was fantastic to be able to get all of our digital experts together to talk about technology investment,” she said. “I’m sure we would have done it if we’d been physically together, it was just easier to coordinate and probably more efficient [remotely].”

The benefits of digitisation have also reached ministers, a central part of whose working life has always been red boxes typically containing large volumes of paper files that require their attention or signature.

“I think Covid has changed boxes,” Little said. “Ministers are much more IT savvy and much more technologically driven so you’ve kind of got virtual boxes and physical boxes.”

Click here to read the full interview with Little, including lots more insight on the review process and what the Treasury has learned for the years ahead.

 

 

Sam Trendall

Learn More →

51 thoughts on “Treasury found ‘lots of positives’ in virtual spending review process

  1. Jorgedak January 22, 2025 at 10:28 am

    п»їbest mexican online pharmacies: Mexican Easy Pharm – mexican online pharmacies prescription drugs

  2. Rodneyicems January 23, 2025 at 1:21 pm

    mexican drugstore online https://mexicaneasypharm.shop/# mexican online pharmacies prescription drugs
    buying prescription drugs in mexico online

  3. Rodneyicems January 24, 2025 at 3:57 am

    п»їbest mexican online pharmacies https://mexicaneasypharm.com/# buying prescription drugs in mexico online
    mexican border pharmacies shipping to usa

  4. Albertruith January 24, 2025 at 12:08 pm

    https://predpharm.shop/# prednisone 20 mg
    prednisone buy without prescription

  5. Albertruith January 24, 2025 at 5:00 pm

    http://dappharm.com/# priligy
    prednisone without prescription.net

  6. Albertruith January 24, 2025 at 10:04 pm

    https://kamapharm.shop/# buy kamagra online usa
    prednisone for cheap

  7. Albertruith January 25, 2025 at 3:24 am

    http://semapharm24.com/# SemaPharm24
    can you buy prednisone in canada

  8. Albertruith January 25, 2025 at 11:15 am

    https://predpharm.com/# 200 mg prednisone daily
    buy prednisone online no prescription

  9. Albertruith January 25, 2025 at 7:25 pm

    https://cytpharm.com/# CytPharm
    buy prednisone from canada

  10. Albertruith January 26, 2025 at 3:23 am

    https://predpharm.shop/# prednisone 80 mg daily
    prednisone buy cheap

  11. Albertruith January 26, 2025 at 10:46 am

    https://cytpharm.shop/# buy cytotec online
    prednisone tablets

  12. Albertruith January 26, 2025 at 6:10 pm

    http://predpharm.com/# prednisone otc price
    cheap prednisone online

  13. Albertruith January 27, 2025 at 1:34 am

    https://predpharm.com/# prednisone 60 mg
    prednisone 50

  14. Albertruith January 27, 2025 at 8:23 am

    https://kamapharm.com/# sildenafil oral jelly 100mg kamagra
    where to buy prednisone in australia

  15. Albertruith January 27, 2025 at 3:24 pm

    http://dappharm.com/# dap pharm
    15 mg prednisone daily

  16. Albertruith January 27, 2025 at 8:56 pm

    https://kamapharm.com/# super kamagra
    buying prednisone on line

  17. Albertruith January 28, 2025 at 2:18 am

    http://cytpharm.com/# CytPharm
    prednisone 20mg online pharmacy

  18. MichaelVon January 28, 2025 at 11:08 am

    http://farmasilditaly.com/# viagra 100 mg prezzo in farmacia
    farmacie online autorizzate elenco

  19. MichaelVon January 28, 2025 at 4:01 pm

    https://farmaprodotti.shop/# farmacia online
    comprare farmaci online con ricetta

  20. MichaelVon January 28, 2025 at 8:53 pm

    https://farmaprodotti.shop/# acquistare farmaci senza ricetta
    acquistare farmaci senza ricetta

  21. MichaelVon January 29, 2025 at 1:32 am

    https://farmatadalitaly.com/# farmacie online affidabili
    farmacie online autorizzate elenco

  22. Bradleydug January 31, 2025 at 2:30 am

    Farmacie on line spedizione gratuita: farmacie online affidabili – farmacia online senza ricetta
    comprare farmaci online all’estero

  23. Briangorce January 31, 2025 at 3:35 am

    farmacia online piГ№ conveniente https://farmaprodotti.shop/# farmacia online
    Farmacia online miglior prezzo

  24. LannyRinly January 31, 2025 at 6:00 am

    Many casinos have beautiful ocean views.: taya777.icu – taya777.icu

  25. Daviddof January 31, 2025 at 6:33 am

    https://taya365.art/# The Philippines has a vibrant nightlife scene.
    Slot machines attract players with big jackpots.

  26. WilliamTraix January 31, 2025 at 10:27 am

    Casino visits are a popular tourist attraction. http://phtaya.tech/# The casino industry supports local economies significantly.

  27. LannyRinly January 31, 2025 at 10:41 am

    Las tragamonedas ofrecen grandes premios.: jugabet – jugabet casino

  28. Daviddof January 31, 2025 at 10:41 am

    http://taya777.icu/# Casino promotions draw in new players frequently.
    The Philippines offers a rich gaming culture.

  29. Daviddof January 31, 2025 at 2:45 pm

    https://taya777.icu/# Live dealer games enhance the casino experience.
    High rollers receive exclusive treatment and bonuses.

  30. WilliamTraix January 31, 2025 at 3:25 pm

    Players can enjoy high-stakes betting options. https://phtaya.tech/# Poker rooms host exciting tournaments regularly.

  31. LannyRinly January 31, 2025 at 3:34 pm

    Some casinos feature themed gaming areas.: phtaya login – phtaya casino

  32. Daviddof January 31, 2025 at 6:36 pm

    http://jugabet.xyz/# Las promociones de fin de semana son populares.
    Players must be at least 21 years old.

  33. WilliamTraix January 31, 2025 at 8:21 pm

    Most casinos offer convenient transportation options. http://phtaya.tech/# Players must be at least 21 years old.

  34. LannyRinly January 31, 2025 at 8:27 pm

    Live music events often accompany gaming nights.: phmacao.life – phmacao com

  35. Daviddof January 31, 2025 at 10:22 pm

    http://phtaya.tech/# High rollers receive exclusive treatment and bonuses.
    The Philippines has a vibrant nightlife scene.

  36. WilliamTraix February 1, 2025 at 12:59 am

    Visitors come from around the world to play. http://phmacao.life/# Players often share tips and strategies.

  37. LannyRinly February 1, 2025 at 1:01 am

    Las reservas en lГ­nea son fГЎciles y rГЎpidas.: winchile – winchile

  38. Daviddof February 1, 2025 at 1:52 am

    https://phtaya.tech/# Casino visits are a popular tourist attraction.
    Responsible gaming initiatives are promoted actively.

  39. Daviddof February 1, 2025 at 5:19 am

    http://phtaya.tech/# The thrill of winning keeps players engaged.
    Poker rooms host exciting tournaments regularly.

  40. LannyRinly February 1, 2025 at 5:38 am

    Game rules can vary between casinos.: taya365 com login – taya365.art

  41. WilliamTraix February 1, 2025 at 5:40 am

    Casino promotions draw in new players frequently. http://jugabet.xyz/# La Г©tica del juego es esencial.

  42. Daviddof February 1, 2025 at 8:50 am

    https://phmacao.life/# Many casinos have beautiful ocean views.
    The poker community is very active here.

  43. LannyRinly February 1, 2025 at 10:16 am

    Muchos casinos tienen salas de bingo.: jugabet chile – jugabet.xyz

  44. WilliamTraix February 1, 2025 at 10:24 am

    The casino industry supports local economies significantly. http://winchile.pro/# Los jugadores pueden disfrutar desde casa.

  45. Daviddof February 1, 2025 at 12:33 pm

    https://taya777.icu/# A variety of gaming options cater to everyone.
    Live music events often accompany gaming nights.

  46. LannyRinly February 1, 2025 at 2:59 pm

    The casino experience is memorable and unique.: phtaya – phtaya.tech

  47. WilliamTraix February 1, 2025 at 3:11 pm

    п»їCasinos in the Philippines are highly popular. http://winchile.pro/# Los jackpots progresivos atraen a los jugadores.

  48. Daviddof February 1, 2025 at 4:23 pm

    http://phtaya.tech/# Entertainment shows are common in casinos.
    The casino atmosphere is thrilling and energetic.

  49. LannyRinly February 1, 2025 at 7:45 pm

    Manila is home to many large casinos.: taya365 login – taya365 login

  50. WilliamTraix February 1, 2025 at 7:59 pm

    Casinos often host special holiday promotions. http://phtaya.tech/# Slot machines feature various exciting themes.

  51. Daviddof February 1, 2025 at 8:08 pm

    https://winchile.pro/# Los jackpots progresivos atraen a los jugadores.
    Casinos offer delicious dining options on-site.

Leave a Reply