TUC – Infrastructure
strategy can boost jobs and skills while rebuilding
Britain
Commenting on the government's infrastructure strategy published
today (Thursday), TUC General Secretary Paul
Nowaksaid:
“Britain has long been crying out for a serious, long-term
infrastructure plan. Across our schools, hospitals, reservoirs
and railways we have invested too little for too long.
“We have a vital opportunity to rebuild our country after more
than a decade of Conservative mismanagement and neglect. We must
grab it with both hands.
"To truly deliver for the public, this strategy must put good,
secure, union jobs at its core, alongside high-quality training
to skill-up workers.
"And crucially, we must learn from past mistakes – avoiding the
burden of wasteful PFI deals that have left taxpayers footing the
bill for years to come.”
Responding to the government's infrastructure strategy. , CEO of pro-growth campaign
group Britain Remade, said:
“After years of drift, a long-term infrastructure strategy backed
by serious investment could be the turning point Britain needs.
Planning reform is essential to make it work. The government has
begun to act by streamlining approvals, speeding up decisions on
major projects, and tackling unjustified legal challenges. But it
must go further with too many critical schemes still facing
costly delays and uncertainty.
“The government's commitment to a new era of public private
partnerships, with the appropriate guardrails, is the right
approach. In France private companies have built thousands of
miles of motorways freeing up state funding for other priorities
such as public transport and active travel.
“With £725 billion committed, we need a planning system that's
fast, predictable, and focused on delivery. Only then can we
build the homes, transport links, and clean energy projects the
country urgently needs and finally move from managed decline to a
new era of national renewal.
Midlands Connect's
reaction to 10-year infrastructure strategy
Commenting on the Chief Secretary to the Treasury's release of
his ten year infrastructure strategy, CEO of Midlands Connect
Maria Machancoses said:
“We welcome the news of Government's commitment to the Midlands
Rail Hub and of its relevance within the 10 Year Infrastructure
Strategy launched by the Chief Secretary today.
“The project is vital to delivering a step-change for passengers,
businesses and commuters throughout the Midlands, South West and
Wales.
“We must now work with Government, our partners and the National
Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority to ensure the
benefits of Midlands Rail Hub reaches our towns and cities as
soon as possible.”
