To my surprise, this is proving to be a "make a wish come true" week following the Government's publication of its Green Book Review 2020. 

On Monday I articulated my wish in my piece: "Will Rishi's Green Book review do more than change the way investment in the regions is promoted?". Following my perusal of the review, I am struck by a number of themes that emerge from it that give me hope that policy-led social value for money has a chance of being embedded, rather than a slavish adherence to numbers which miss the mark. 

Three highlights for me are the recognition that: 

1. business case preparation has to start with a strategic aim that is expressed clearly (i.e. policy-led projects are promoted as best practice);
2. any such business case can be applied to "place" at a local or regional level so it makes sense in the context of where people actually live. What's more, the benefits to be achieved do not have to all be monetised; and
3. environmental impacts over time can be measured with reference to an acknowledgement of the value that society places on health but also the welfare of future generations.

So, this is to me a real "by jove, they've got it" moment!

But old habits die hard, especially with those who have been always careful and cautious. So it is for us to say (or sing), 

"You can get it if you really want
You can get it if you really want
You can get it if you really want
But you must try, try and try
Try and try, you'll succeed at last!"

I'm now looking forward to Advent.