Government to review IT projects - again

Ex-Logica chief executive to conduct yet another public sector IT overhaul

The Treasury is again attempting to improve the efficiency of government IT projects

The government has hired the former chief executive of Logica to try to improve the success rate of public sector IT projects.

Martin Read, who left Logica in May 2007, will carry out a review of government computer projects for the Treasury – the fourth such initiative by the government since Labour came to power in 1997.

Large IT projects launched by Labour that have been delayed or come in over budget include the HM Revenue and Customs tax credits system and the Child Support Agency programme – both set up by supplier EDS.

The National Programme for IT (NPfIT) in the NHS is four years behind schedule, though not over budget due to strict "pay-as-you-go" contracts.

More recently, a report by the National Audit Office (NAO) found that a shared services scheme in the Department for Transport could cost the department millions of pounds rather than saving money.