How should failed and expensive Covid-era government projects be judged?
Short answerCriticise bad decisions, but account for the emergency pressure to act quickly, which compressed testing and procurement and made expensive failure more likely.
NotesEvery emergency purchase should be judged in the circumstances officials faced at the time. During the pandemic, the government faced constant pressure from the public and the 24-hour news cycle to demonstrate action immediately. Rush timetables raise prices and leave little room for testing, competing tenders, or working through implementation problems. Failed decisions still require scrutiny, with possible misconduct separated from the structural risk created when political visibility rewards speed before a programme has been proved workable.