Skip to main content
Collection

The Green Book and accompanying guidance

HM Treasury guidance on how to appraise proposals, including policies, projects and programmes.

Updates to this page

From:
HM Treasury
Published:
16 November 2020
Last updated:
30 June 2026
Show all updates

  1. Examples of appraisal calculations added.

  2. Economic and social costs of crime 2019 to 2020 added.

  3. Digital and Data Benefits framework added under 'Supplementary guidance: subject'.

  4. Text in the Introduction to the Green Book has been updated to align with the Green Book (2026). “Evaluation” has been removed from the subtitle of the Green Book. Supplementary documents on the environmental discount rate review and social discount rates have been compiled into the supplementary guidance on discounting.

  5. Updated with 'Publishing business cases' section

  6. Link to training updated to updated page.

  7. Re-upload of the ‘Agile digital and IT projects: clarification of business case guidance’ after its removal from 'The Green Book: appraisal and evaluation in central government'

  8. Various presentational changes to improve clarity, a new link to supplementary guidance on cost of fire added and an updated link to the supplementary guidance on Risk.

  9. Updated with: Transport analysis guidance.

  10. Link to the ‘Green Book supplementary guidance: competition’ updated

  11. Green Book Supplementary Guidance: Value for Money added

  12. Green Book Supplementary Document: Environmental discount rate review, conclusion added

  13. Green Book supplementary guidance: wellbeing added

  14. Addition of new supplementary guidance - project/programme outcome profile

  15. Updated with detail about Green Book guidance.

  16. Updated with link to: 'Supporting public service transformation: cost benefit analysis guidance for local partnerships'.

  17. First published.

Introduction to the Green Book

The Green Book is the UK government’s guidance on appraisal, the process of assessing the costs, benefits and risks of different options for achieving government objectives. The Green Book uses the five-case model as outlined in the business case guidance for projects and programmes. This is the government’s recommended framework for developing business cases. 

The Green Book is supported by supplementary guidance containing more detailed guidance on specific issues and applying the Green Book in particular contexts. 

There are also templates and other supporting material to support Green Book practitioners and training available through the Better Business Cases programme. 

You can sign up for the Green Book newsletter to learn more about appraisal and to hear about upcoming events. If you have any questions, please contact GreenBook@hmtreasury.gov.uk.

The Green Book and business case guidance

Treasury Approvals Process

Publishing business cases

Supplementary guidance: departmental

Supplementary guidance: subject

Contents

Related content