The number of major projects run by the Ministry of Justice deemed ‘high-risk’ has increased since last year, according to a an official report on the progress of nearly 200 major infrastructure projects across the government.

The Major Projects Authority Annual Report 2013/2014 flags four MoJ projects were as red/amber, compared with two described as ‘red’ and ‘red/amber’ last year.

According to the report, projects flagged as red and red/amber signal to ministers and officials that action is required and suitable mitigating measures should be put in place. The Cabinet Office said this status does not necessarily reflect a need for cancellation.

In one piece of good news for the MoJ, the report upgrades the ministry's £127.1m project to share back-office services from the highest risk status to red/amber.

The programme was originally due to be completed by 2011/12 and is now ‘on on course’ to be completed by the revised date of July 2015.

The offender electronic monitoring project was also among those earmarked as red/amber.

However the MoJ said that: ‘Since this report, there has been an audit of existing electronic monitoring services and subsequent referrals to the Serious Fraud Office. A test run of the new tags will take place in December 2014 with full-service commencement to start in early in 2015.’ 

Other high-risk projects include the Common Platform Programme (CPP), a data store for the Crown Prosecution Service and HM Courts and Tribunal Service and the HM Courts and Tribunal Service reform programme.

The legal aid reform programme is one of four to be flagged as green – the highest indication of successful delivery. ‘The green status reflects that the project has closed and is currently planning its post-implementation review,’ said the MoJ.