The built environment has welcomed the funding certainty of the government’s 10-year infrastructure strategy, which includes £725bn investment over the next decade for essential projects across the country.
Here’s what organisations in the built environment are saying about it.
David Barnes, head of policy and public affairs at the Chartered Institute of Building
“We have long suggested that the information guiding construction and infrastructure projects in the UK has been patchy and a lack of joined-up departmental thinking has led to suboptimal policy decisions and counterproductive policy around projects.
“This move presents a significant opportunity for the government to boost its knowledge of the built environment. This would improve its policymaking and the impact of its spending, while potentially lifting the efficiency of every business operating in the sector.
“Ultimately, a long-term pipeline of infrastructure projects, including those associated with housing, provides an opportunity to map the true layout of the industry and provides a path to better policymaking that takes factors such as capacity into account.
“The creation of the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) will also be crucial for bringing much-needed oversight of the strategy and, most importantly, delivery under one roof.”
Sam Gould, director of policy and external affairs at the Institution of Civil Engineers
“There are lots of positives to acknowledge, including a strong focus on maintenance and spatial planning that will consider environmental, infrastructure, industrial growth and housing needs in the round. It’s also good to see additional clarity on private finance.
“However, to sustain progress, the sector will need more information on private finance models, and we need more detail on how the UK’s infrastructure will meet the demands of our changing climate.
“In between now and 2027, NISTA must focus on implementing this strategy and providing the detail needed on these points.
“There is a big job to do, but the strategy lays good foundations.”
Nancy MacDonald, regional business lead for infrastructure, UK&I, at Stantec
“This longer-term outlook should help provide the clarity that industry has been looking for, boost private sector confidence, and help the UK to both strengthen the foundations of our economy while also building upwards.
“Coupled with recent commitments across transport, energy and housing, the government has thrown down the gauntlet in the shape of £725bn over the next decade. With the pipeline of projects due to be published next month, it is the private sector’s responsibility to capitalise on this opportunity, drive further investment and get on with the task at hand.
“The strategy rightly recognises that boosting regional resilience is fundamental – and the importance of nature-based solutions as part of that.”
Richard Risdon, executive board director and regional managing director for UK and Europe at Mott MacDonald
“The government has demonstrated that it understands improving the UK’s infrastructure is vital to increasing productivity and driving positive economic, social and environmental outcomes. Its belief that funding the management of existing assets is just as important as the investment in new ones, is most welcome.
“It is critical now that the government ensures the plan is built to last and transcends politics, so future governments see through the whole 10 years. It’s not just the strategy that matters though. We need government to adopt a holistic approach to encouraging people to join our sector and to develop the skills needed to design and deliver all this new infrastructure.
“Responsibility for the success lies with us as an industry, as the strategy will ultimately be judged on whether it delivers the expected outcomes, alongside tangible progress in how we deliver.”
Justin Young, chief executive at RICS
“If we are to meet the 1.5m housebuilding target the government set last year, we need the critical infrastructure – the roads, schools, hospitals and other social service buildings that go with it. It is not enough to just build homes – we must build communities with them, and this starts with a clear, joined-up infrastructure strategy that incorporates long-term thinking and vision.
“This new strategy sets the country on a considerably clearer path and represents a significant shift in how the government approaches infrastructure and industrial capacity. Importantly, it seeks to unlock development across the country, while promoting sustainability and energy efficiency.
“Ongoing skills and labour shortages stifle construction projects and investment in skills for new professionals and upskilling for industry veterans is another promising development. Confidence is critical for the construction industry, and this strategy sets a powerful message of intent to meet the challenges of the next 10 years.”
