<p>Tucked away in John Healey’s budget is decision to ringfence preventative projects where future savings outweigh initial cost</p><p>It merited the briefest of mentions in John Healey’s speech and just one paragraph in the 166-page <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6ae20b85460c1346f7be784e/E03668986_HMT_Budget_2026_ELAY__2_.pdf">budget document</a>, but some believe it could revolutionise not just public spending but the very process of government itself: a new focus on long-term outcomes.</p><p>The idea in the broad sense is very simple. Any spending deemed to be “preventative” – that is, the initial outlay will be more than made up for by future savings – will from now on be ringfenced, meaning it cannot be raided for more immediate needs.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/oct/31/spending-plan-long-term-focus-uk-government">Continue reading...</a>
World
A world-first focus on long-term outcomes could transform UK government – or create new spending fights
<p>Tucked away in John Healey’s budget is decision to ringfence preventative projects where future savings outweigh initial cost</p><p>It merited the briefest of mentions in John Healey’s speech and just one paragraph in the 166-page <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6ae20b85460c1346f7be784e/E03668986_HMT_Budget_2026_ELAY__2_.pdf">budget document</a>, but some believe it could revolutionise not just public spending but the very process of government itself: a new focus on long-term outcomes.</p><p>The idea in the broad sense is very simple. Any spending deemed to be “preventative” – that is, the initial outlay will be more than made up for by future savings – will from now on be ringfenced, meaning it cannot be raided for more immediate needs.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/oct/31/spending-plan-long-term-focus-uk-government">Continue reading...</a>