Darren Jones launches Labour's comprehensive review into major infrastructure projects

Labour’s Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones has today launched a comprehensive review into major infrastructure projects across the UK, aiming to bring an end to years of Conservative waste and major project failures. 

The review, which will be supported by an expert independent advisory panel, will assess ways Britain can reduce costs and speed up delivery of major infrastructure projects such in the public and private sector. The panel includes Paula Reynolds, Chair of the Board National Grid; Juergen Maier CBE, NED, former Siemens UK CEO; and Mark Reynolds, CEO of Mace.

Rail and urban transport infrastructure is being considered as part of a separate review.

This work will look at how significant infrastructure projects can be better managed to boost jobs, improve value for money, and drive investment and economic growth across the country.

Launching the review today in Sheffield at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, Jones said: “We need to get Britain building again so we can get Britain growing again. That means quicker and cheaper delivery of major projects and infrastructure, and it means unlocking the private sector investment our country needs.”

“The Conservatives have failed to secure the investment our country needs and have failed to keep control of the costs of delivering major projects across the UK. If we are fortunate enough to form the next government and have responsibility for the public finances, we cannot tolerate this.”

In recent months Labour has started a clear roadmap to rebuilding Britain’s critical national infrastructure. 

In November, Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves launched the British Infrastructure Council, a new body of comprising of financial institutions designed to unlock investment into UK and tackle infrastructure delivery challenges – such as clean energy, transport, and digital connectivity – by partnering with the private sector to unlock capital. 

In December, Shadow Transport Secretary Louise Haigh launched an independent expert transport review, Chaired by Juergen Maier CBE, which will focus on delivery of Britain’s rail and urban transport infrastructure, which will be considered separately to this review.

Costs for major infrastructure projects, overseen by the government have spiralled in recent years. The number of major projects rated red – meaning that the project appears to be unachievable – by the Infrastructure Projects Authority has doubled, from 11 in 2019/20 to 23 in the latest annual assessment. The number not rated green has swelled by more than two-thirds, from 120 in 2019/20 to 206 in the latest annual assessment.  

When it comes to delivering major projects – whether nuclear power stations, public buildings, or government IT systems – the UK is among the most expensive anywhere in the world. 

The review will look at all major aspects of infrastructure project delivery, including what is needed to get growth in the economy and save costs to the taxpayer. 

The review will make recommendations which could be made to the planning system; the capacity of public bodies to effectively deliver infrastructure; the opportunities to unlock wider growth around projects, deliver value for money, and how to boost the British supply chain and attract private investment. It is set to conclude in the Spring. 

Labour’s Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Darren Jones MP, said:

“At a time when the tax burden is at a record high, people are rightly asking what they are getting in return. When it comes to infrastructure, the answer is chronic delay and cost overruns – with little focus from the government on delivering value for money. This must change under a Labour government. ” 

“By focusing on infrastructure delivery and ruthless cost control we can unlock investment and start rebuilding our economy after years of sluggish growth. We need to put a stop to waste. Our review will establish the foundations for a long-term and strategic approach to major infrastructure in Britain.” 

On joining the review's expert independent advisory panel, Katy Dowding, CEO of Skanska UK, said:

“It’s vital that the infrastructure sector has long-term stability to spur investment, encourage confidence and improve productivity. The UK has the skills, the innovative capacity and the know how to get projects delivered but we must unblock the barriers that impede efficient delivery today."

Also joining the expert panel, Kate Kenny, Senior Vice President at Jacobs, said:

"As we navigate the complexities of our rapidly changing world, the delivery of robust and integrated critical infrastructure is vital to supporting a resilient, equitable society and thriving economy. I am delighted to be invited to join this independent advisory panel and the opportunity for our collective expertise to foster collaboration and shared learning. Taking a long-term, strategic approach to infrastructure development improves innovation and productivity, and unlocks greater value across wellbeing, prosperity and economic growth."

Ends.

Notes to Editors

The review's expert independent advisory panel includes:

• Paula R. Reynolds, Chair of the Board National Grid plc
• Juergen Maier CBE, NED, Former Siemens CEO
• Kate Kenny, Senior Vice President, Jacobs 
• Mark Reynolds, CEO Mace 
• Paula Walsh, Incoming Chair, Arup UKIMEA
• Katy Dowding, Skanska UK CEO 
• Mark Wild, CEO SGN

The review will look at:

• How we improve the estimates of costs, benefits, and timescales to completion.  
• Whether the Civil Service has access to the skills it needs for successful delivery of major projects.  
• How greater transparency and regular reporting of project data could help to improve delivery.  
• How we can plan for changes in the external environment, including inflation, rising interest rates and other factors.  
• How projects can contribute more to UK economic goals, including supporting UK supply chains, jobs, and skills.  
• Investigating governance of how major projects are delivered and fast tracked nationally and locally.  

Conservative failure:

• It takes up to 13 years to deliver a new windfarm here. This means that the quantity and quality of our infrastructure is far lower than it should be. 
• Poor transport infrastructure represents a barrier to opportunity in much of the country: our commuting times are the third longest in the OECD. 
• The UK’s planning system is a significant barrier to growth. The UK is one of the only countries in the OECD where built-up land per capita has fallen since 2000.
• Building nuclear plants in Britain is more expensive than almost anywhere else. Britain ranks 15th out of 16 countries by construction cost per MW of generating capacity. Only America performed worse. 
• Out of the 250 infrastructure projects in the planning and consents phase from 2013 to 2021, only a third have successfully materialised. Among the remaining two-thirds, 20% faced rejection during the planning stage or experienced delays and cancellations. Another 43% have received approval but are yet to be completed, while 5% are awaiting decisions on planning.
• The Department for Energy and Net Zero's database highlight years of Tory failure. From 2010 to 2018, a quarter of the proposed megawatt capacity was either withdrawn or denied. Notably, onshore wind projects exhibited the highest failure rates, with 45% of the proposed capacity facing withdrawals or rejections between 2010 and 2018.

Labour’s plans:                                                                                 

Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves has already announced reforms to speed up infrastructure delivery, in her conference speech delivered in October including: 

• Speeding up the planning for critically important infrastructure by updating all national policy statements – which set out what types of projects the country needs – within the first six months of a Labour government.
• Fast tracking the planning process for priority growth areas of the economy, such as battery factories, laboratories, and 5G infrastructure.
• Ensuring local communities get something back by providing businesses and communities with a menu of potential incentives, which could include cheaper energy bills.
• Tackling unnecessary, egregious, and time-consuming litigation by setting clearer national guidance for developers on the engagement and consultation expected with local communities.
• Strengthening public sector capacity to expedite planning decisions by raising the stamp duty surcharge on non-UK residents to appoint 300 new planning