Prime Minister will rally Ministers behind
the Government’s multibillion drive to unlock economic growth and
job creation through strong infrastructure and better transport
links, as the Elizabeth Line opens its doors to the public today
[Tuesday 24th May].
Speaking at Cabinet, the Prime Minister is expected to reflect on
the way long-term investment in UK infrastructure pays off, with
the Elizabeth Line project alone supporting 55,000 jobs, 1000
apprenticeships and forecast to boost the UK economy by £42
billion.
While the Prime Minister has been in office, a record number of
transport projects have been launched. Nearly £135 billion of
Government investment is set to transform connectivity across the
country and is already creating tens of thousands of new
employment opportunities for apprentices, graduates and skilled
workers.
The Prime Minister is expected to impress upon Cabinet the need
to maintain Government’s high level of ambition for
infrastructural investment as key to building a high-wage,
high-skill economy.
So far:
- The £96bn Integrated Rail Plan represents the largest ever
single investment in our railways, and will support over 50,000
jobs, including the creation of 19,000 new high-skilled
positions. Faster, better journeys will drive economic growth
across the North and Midlands.
- HS2 is already supporting more than 24,000 jobs and has
created over 900 apprenticeships, with over 2,400 UK-registered
companies already delivering work on the project. It’s expected
to support over 34,000 jobs and at least 2,000 apprenticeships at
its peak in 2027/28.
- The transition to zero emission vehicles can support up to
40,000 new automotive jobs. The recently launched Electric
Vehicle Strategy, backed by £1.6bn, will create thousands of new
jobs and is already attracting significant private investment,
including £1bn from bp pulse.
- £500m for the Restoring Your Railway programme is
reconnecting smaller communities and boosting local businesses –
with 40 new jobs directly connected to the restored line in
Dartmoor, and a similar number expected for other restorations
currently being developed, such as the Northumberland line.
- £24bn commitment through the Road Investment Strategy is
improving the country’s road network – the Lower Thames Crossing
will employ over 22,000 people, including apprenticeships
and graduates.
Work is the best route out of poverty, with those going into full
time employment potentially being £6,000 better off than those on
benefits. It also provides the opportunity to grow and develop,
which is why moving people into jobs continues to be one of the
Government’s highest economic priorities.
This comes as the Way to Work campaign approaches its target of
moving half a million claimants into work by the end of June,
with at least 283,300 having moved into jobs by the end of April.
Speaking ahead of Cabinet, Prime Minister said:
“As the Elizabeth Line opens to the public, we know it’s not
just Londoners that will reap the rewards, but the whole country
– because better transport grows the economy, levels up
opportunity and creates jobs.
“Just last week, official figures showed that under this
Government unemployment has fallen to the lowest level in nearly
half a century, just 3.7 per cent – which shows our drive to get
people into jobs is working.
“And we’re going further and faster to ensure that by
investing in infrastructure right across the UK, our massive
transport projects will get the nation firing on all pistons
again as we recover from the pandemic.”
As well as growing the economy to address the cost of living,
this Government’s priorities over the coming months are doing all
we can to end Putin’s onslaught in Ukraine, cutting crime to make
our streets safer, and funding the NHS to clear the Covid
backlogs.
