As the government formally commences its next long-term departmental funding exercise, plans have been unveiled for external experts, businesses and citizens to help inform the process with scrutiny and suggestions

As government’s Spending Review process gets underway, ministers have launched an online portal for gathering policy proposals and revealed that departments spending plans will be scrutinised by “challenge panels” of external experts.

The GOV.UK suggestion box is intended to ensure that “the ideas, expertise and innovation of the private sector will be sought out and brought right into the heart of government… [by giving] businesses the opportunity to put forward policy proposals for the Spending Review, including on how government can deliver public services more efficiently or effectively”.

As well as commercial companies, the portal also invites ideas from trade bodies, think tanks, local councils, charities, and unions – as well as from individual citizens or members of parliament.

Visitors to the site are asked to specify which department or departments their proposal relates to, before providing a 250-word summary and uploading a file with the full text of their submission.

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“HM Treasury welcomes comments on existing spending priorities and suggestions for new ones,” the site says. “To help inform decisions for the upcoming Spending Review, your representation should include proposals that outline funding priorities and explain the rationale, costs, benefits, and feasibility of your suggestions. Submissions should be evidence-based, providing clear arguments on how they align with the objectives of the Spending Review, such as delivering value for money, supporting economic growth, and achieving strategic outcomes across government.”

Government added that all proposals “will be collated and shared with departments for consideration in their submissions”.

During the review process itself, which is due to conclude in the spring of 2025, departments’ fiscal plans will be scrutinised by external groups of including the likes of bankers, academics and think tanks.

These “challenge panels” will help support the government in achieving 5% efficiency savings during the three-year period – 2026-27 to 2028-29 – covered by the exercise.

Joining the panels will be former managers of Lloyd’s Banking Group, Barclays Bank and the Co-operative Group.  Think tanks, academics and the private sector will also advise on whether spending in particular areas is “necessary”.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “By totally rewiring how the government spends money we will be able to deliver our plan for change and focus on what matters for working people. The previous government allowed millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money to go to waste on poor value for money projects. We will not tolerate it; I said I would have an iron grip on the public finances and that means taking an iron fist against waste. By reforming our public services, we will ensure they are up to scratch for modern day demands, saving money and delivering better services for people across the country. That’s why we will inspect every pound of government spend, so that it goes to the right places and we put an end to all waste.”