HM Treasury
A plan that brings together all of the governments infrastructure priorities over the next five years has been published today (23 March 2016).
For the first time, this new National Infrastructure Delivery Plan brings together the governments plans for this Parliament to support large-scale housing and regeneration, as well as investment in new local schools, hospitals and prisons.
These plans are underpinned by the governments commitment to invest over 100 billion in infrastructure by 2020-21, together with significant investment by the private sector, to deliver important projects that are vital to grow the economy and improve peoples lives.
More of this investment is now being targeted to bring benefits to the local economy and community. The plan also highlights the governments commitment to build a Northern Powerhouse, by connecting up the great towns and cities of the North.
The plan incorporates the latest version of the National infrastructure Pipeline which highlights over 425 billion worth of planned investment in over 600 major projects and programmes across the UK to 2020-21 and beyond. In addition the plan sets out 58 billion of public investment for housing and regeneration, education, health and justice.
The governments infrastructure plans are already making a real difference on the ground. Since 2010 around 3,000 individual infrastructure projects have been completed across the UK including major new road improvements and local transport schemes, improvements to hundreds of rail stations and more than 20GW of new electricity generating capacity. This is in addition to transformational projects such as Crossrail and the Mersey Gateway Bridge that are now well underway.
Speaking at the Institution of Civil Engineers, Commercial Secretary to the Treasury Lord ONeill said:
From more modern transport links, to faster broadband, better infrastructure is at the heart of our plans to build a more productive economy and improve peoples everyday lives.
That is why we are stepping up with the private sector to invest in some of this countrys most ambitious projects to create a more secure future for the next generation.
This government is determined, even at a time of global uncertainty, to invest in the long-term projects that will make our economy and our country fit for the future.
Chief Executive of the Infrastructure and Projects Authority, Tony Meggs said:
This plan sets out details of infrastructure investment by government and the private sector across all sectors and regions. It describes not only what we are going to build, but also how we will prioritise investment and work with industry to improve delivery.
Through the new IPA we will continue to support delivery of the governments priority projects and ensure we remain on track to deliver.
Nick Baveystock, Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Director General, said:
The National Infrastructure Plan has evolved steadily since 2010, and this new iteration of the plan and pipeline builds on the progress made, improving visibility for the supply chain and investor community. The shift in focus to delivery over five years sets a fresh tone one of spades in the ground and we welcome the recognition that this must be complemented by a vision for the longer term. This brings to the fore the role of the National Infrastructure Commission in setting out the UKs priorities up to 2050, and the importance of a robust needs assessment to underpin the vision.
Key report highlights:
- a forward look for 483 billion of infrastructure investment in economic and social infrastructure including over 297 billion to 2020-21
- 483 billion includes economic infrastructure investment of 425 billion with an additional 58 billion of public investment in social infrastructure (part of the governments commitment to spend over 100 billion in infrastructure by 2020-21)
- setting out a major roads and rail investment package including 15 billion to support Highways England in transforming the Strategic Road Network with over 100 major schemes completed or in construction by the end of 2020-21, and supporting the largest rail modernisation since Victorian times, including getting High Speed 2 into construction, completing Crossrail, and giving the green light to Crossrail 2 to proceed and significant investment in projects in the Northern Powerhouse
- over 100 billion invested by the private sector in energy projects across electricity generation, transmission and in the North Sea
- facilitating private sector rollout of improved broadband and mobile networks through targeted investment, legislative and regulatory reform and increasing the amount of spectrum available to mobile operators
The establishment of the Infrastructure and Projects Authority, alongside the independent National Infrastructure Commission, lays the foundations to improve our ability to make better decisions on future infrastructure; support and improve project delivery; and provide the confidence needed by industry and investors.
It brings together the expertise of Infrastructure UK and the Major Projects Authority to improve delivery of major government projects. It will report back every year on progress that has been made in delivering these plans.
Average annual infrastructure investment (public and private combined) rose by 17% in real terms in the last Parliament, when compared to the preceding one.
The government has also today published a new Construction Strategy that commits to reducing the cost of projects by 1.7 billion during this parliament through the use of innovation and efficiency.