Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

Sludgebusting: Simplifying Government Processes to Drive Delivery

26 March 2026 · Cabinet Office

Proposed by Nick Thomas-Symonds Lab Torfaen

EconomyParliamentary ProcedureScience & Technology

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

View on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Key points

  • The government is launching a programme to remove unnecessary bureaucracy and streamline decision-making processes.
  • Higher bars for reporting and consultation requirements in legislation will be introduced to reduce burden.
  • AI will be used to identify disproportionate duties and simplify controls frameworks across government departments.

Issue summary

The statement addresses the need to simplify bureaucratic processes within the UK government to speed up decision-making and delivery, aiming to free ministers and officials from excessive bureaucracy.

Action requested

The government is launching a programme of work to remove unnecessary bureaucracy, introduce higher bars for reporting and consultation requirements in legislation, use AI to identify disproportionate duties, simplify controls frameworks, reform ALB landscape, digitise processes, and implement a new accountability framework. These measures are part of the Prime Minister’s ambition to 're-wire' the state.

Key facts

  • The government aims to end unnecessary reporting and consultation requirements.
  • AI will be used to identify existing disproportionate duties slowing down delivery.
  • Environmental Impact Assessments will be replaced with Environmental Outcomes Reports for new infrastructure projects.
  • A reformed controls framework will go live from the start of the 2026-27 Financial Year, reducing bureaucracy in projects and programmes.
  • All departments have been asked to set out plans for reforming their ALB landscape before the next Spending Review.
▸ Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy