Duncan Parish, deputy director of the No10 North programme, told a conference that the initiative remains hampered by what he described as "institutional barriers" and that a broader "mindset shift" within government is required to make it work.
Speaking to colleagues and stakeholders, Parish said the obstacles are not solely logistical but rooted in how Whitehall departments and officials approach the programme, affecting its ability to deliver its aims. He said a change in attitudes and practices would be necessary to overcome those limitations.
No immediate response from the Cabinet Office or other government departments was reported following Parish's remarks. The deputy director's comments underline continuing questions about how centrally driven initiatives interact with existing departmental systems and processes.
Analysts and participants at the conference said the debate highlighted tensions between ambitions for decentralised delivery and the realities of established bureaucratic structures. Parish's call for cultural and procedural change will put renewed focus on ministers and senior civil servants to address the issues he raised if the programme is to meet its objectives.