In a wide-ranging speech last week, chancellor John Healey criticised the use of obstructive consultation process to push through new legislation, committing to a complete overhaul of the system.

Now the Cabinet Office has confirmed detailed plans will be released ‘in the autumn’, including ‘new guidance providing practical steps for modern, meaningful engagement’.

The government rationale for dismantling the consultation process came with heavy criticism of the current process, saying ‘consultation culture has turned a sensible mechanism for sourcing external input into an industry of dither and delay’.

‘For too long, the system has outsourced accountability to external stakeholders through consultations, arm’s-length bodies, or regulators, costing the public years of progress,’ the Cabinet Office said.

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