This new edition incorporates revised guidance from H.M Treasury which is designed to promote efficient policy development and resource allocation across government through the use of a thorough, long-term and analytically robust approach to the appraisal and evaluation of public service projects before significant funds are committed. It is the first edition to have been aided by a consultation process in order to ensure the guidance is clearer and more closely tailored to suit the needs of users.

This is a further consultation paper on financial stability and depositor protection in the UK (Cm.7436, ISBN 9780101743624), and follows on from an earlier consultation document published in January (Cm. 7308, ISBN 9780101730822). The Command Paper published in January summarised the actions being taken by the Treasury, the Financial Services Authority and the Bank of England in response to the disruption being experienced in the global financial markets. Five key objectives were set out: (1) Stregthening the stability and reliance of the financial system; (2) Reducing the likelihood of individual banks facing difficulties; (3) Reducing the impact, when banks do experience difficulties; (4) Providing effective compensation arrangements; (5) Strengthening the Bank of England. A full summary of the proposals to meet the above objectives is set out in the first chapter of this follow-up consultation, with the remainder of the document examining the January proposals in detail.