Emerging approaches to integrated appraisal in the UK

This paper reviews trends in integrated appraisal with specific emphasis on work within UK Government. It shows how these newer approaches link with current appraisal methods. A two-stage approach is increasingly advocated: first, the potential impacts of the proposal under consideration are 'screened' against a range of economic, social and environmental criteria; second, there is more detailed appraisal where this is considered necessary using appropriate appraisal tools. A brief review is given of existing appraisal tools and their relationships to one another: appraisal should facilitate the use of different tools for different purposes. Finally, we consider the challenges and opportunities of integrated appraisal.