A bold new 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy, marking the end of
decades of underinvestment and the beginning of a national
mission to rebuild Britain's foundations, will be unveiled next
week.
To support delivery of this first-of-its-kind, cross-sector
strategy, the government is funding at least £725 billion for
infrastructure over the next decade, in order to overhaul the
country's economic, social, and housing infrastructure –
delivering the roads, railways, homes, hospitals, and schools
that working people rely on every day.
This is a defining moment in the government's Plan for Change:
creating a shift from managed decline to purposeful renewal. The
strategy is what Britain needs to help drive growth and create
jobs, by providing long-term certainty for industry and
communities, ensuring that infrastructure is delivered faster,
more efficiently, and with greater impact.
The Strategy will set out clear priorities, such as:
- Upgrading transport networks to better connect towns, cities,
and regions.
- Ending the housing crisis by accelerating the delivery of
affordable, high-quality homes.
- Modernising public services so that hospitals, schools, and
local facilities are fit for the future.
- Powering Britain's clean energy transition to secure energy
independence and tackle climate change.
Thousands of skilled jobs boosting local economies, and more
money in people's pockets are expected to come as a result –
while laying the groundwork for a more resilient, productive, and
fairer Britain.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, , said:
“The British people voted for change – and this is how we
deliver it. For too long, our infrastructure – our
schools and hospitals, or our roads and bridges – have been left
to crumble, holding back communities and stunting
economic growth.
“This was a dereliction of duty by previous governments
overseeing an era of managed decline, but it ends with this
one.
“We are investing in Britain's future, brick by brick, road
by road and track by track. The Strategy will rebuild
people's pride in their homes, while growing
the economy, and putting more money in people's pockets as
we deliver our Plan for Change.”
Until now, infrastructure has received too little attention and
investment, and for projects that have received it, delivery has
been too costly and too slow. There has also been insufficient
coordination across sectors, regions, delivery partners, and
government.
Next week's Strategy will outline how this disjointed approach
will be avoided going forward, setting up the National
Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority
(NISTA) which will ensure projects are delivered on time, on
budget, and with maximum public benefit.
Becky Wood, Chief Executive Officer of NISTA,
said:
"Infrastructure is the backbone supporting our nation - from the
roads that connect us to the houses we live in, and from the
schools and hospitals that serve our communities, to the energy
networks that power our lives.
"This strategy is a decisive step forward for our nation's
infrastructure, providing the stability that businesses,
investors and communities need, as well as tackling head on the
fundamental issues that the sector has experienced over recent
years.
"NISTA, alongside partners in industry, will be at the very heart
of helping to deliver what is set out in the strategy, embracing
the abundance of opportunities it outlines, driving forward the
ambition and enabling transformational
change."
This announcement follows last week's Spending Review, which
committed:
- £15.6 billion for transport upgrades,
- £39 billion for social and affordable housing,
- £14.2 billion for Britain's first state-funded nuclear power
station in a generation at Sizewell C.
Together, these investments signal a new era of delivery that
puts working people first and builds a Britain that works for
everyone.
