Finance

UK to conduct zero based review on government spending, deputy finance minister says

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on January 21, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 27, 2026

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Deputy Finance Minister Darren Jones discusses zero based review of UK government spending - Global Banking & Finance Review
This image features Deputy Finance Minister Darren Jones speaking at the Institute for Government's conference about the UK's zero based review of government spending, emphasizing efficiency and savings.
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LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's deputy finance minister Darren Jones said on Tuesday the government would conduct the first zero based review of spending in 17 years. Financial support will only be made

UK to Launch Zero Based Review on Government Spending

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's deputy finance minister Darren Jones said on Tuesday the government would conduct the first zero based review of spending in 17 years.

Financial support will only be made available to departments that have met requirements set out in the zero based government spending review, Jones said.

"Funding from the Treasury to support new priorities will only be made available to departments that have first fulfilled the requirements of our zero based review and met the minimum 5% savings and efficiency target required in this spending review process," Jones said in a keynote speech at the Institute for Government's annual conference.

"We will no longer just negotiate what top ups to existing budgets departments will get, but we will scrutinise and challenge every pound of existing budgets first," he added.

(Reporting by Suban Abdulla; Editing by Catarina Demony)

Key Takeaways

  • UK to conduct first zero based spending review in 17 years.
  • Departments must meet a 5% savings target for funding.
  • Treasury funding will prioritize new government priorities.
  • Every pound of existing budgets will be scrutinized.
  • Deputy finance minister Darren Jones announced the review.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main topic?
The main topic is the UK government's zero based spending review announced by deputy finance minister Darren Jones.
What is a zero based review?
A zero based review is a budgeting process where all expenses must be justified for each new period, starting from a 'zero base'.
Who announced the spending review?
The spending review was announced by Britain's deputy finance minister Darren Jones.

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