In a major policy announcement, the UK government has unveiled a new strategy to address chronic underinvestment and instability in the country's infrastructure systems.

The plan, outlined by Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones, aims to deliver a decade of national renewal and power economic growth across the nation.

Speaking at the headquarters of Skanska, one of the world's leading construction companies, Jones emphasised the urgent need to transform the UK's infrastructure landscape. He highlighted the historical underperformance of the country in terms of infrastructure investment compared to its G7 peers, noting that the UK has consistently ranked lowest in this category.

To address these shortcomings, the government will establish a new National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA). This agency will be tasked with unifying infrastructure strategy and delivery, tackling systemic challenges that have hindered growth for decades.

Jones stressed the critical role of infrastructure in supporting economic prosperity and improving quality of life. He emphasised that well-connected infrastructure enables people to access opportunities, businesses to attract top talent, and the UK to strengthen its global connections.

-- Advertisement --

The government's ambitious plan represents a significant step towards revitalising the UK's infrastructure and laying the groundwork for a more prosperous and sustainable future.

Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Treasury said: "This new body will get a grip on the delays to infrastructure delivery that have plagued our global reputation with investors. It will restore the confidence of businesses to invest and help break the cycle of low growth."

NISTA will bring a much-needed oversight of strategy and delivery under one roof, supporting the development and implementation of the ten-year infrastructure strategy in conjunction with industry, while driving more effective delivery of infrastructure across the country.

He also stressed the urgent need to speed up the delivery of major infrastructure with a powerful national strategy, noting that this will help provide the stability required to help ensure private sector confidence and achieve better sustained economic growth.

The Chief Secretary confirmed the Government's objectives, priorities, and vision of the nation's infrastructure over the next decade through a ten-year infrastructure strategy, for the first time since coming into power. The speech comes just days ahead of the International Investment Summit on 14 October which will bring the world's biggest businesses and investors to the UK to hear about the country's economic strengths and investment potential.

The National Infrastructure Commission will also today publish an independent report into the systemic issues in the UK that have historically increased the cost of delivering major infrastructures. The report will point to a debilitating lack of strategic clarity as a root cause, that has increased the delay of decisions for national infrastructure by up to 65% since 2012.

Also confirmed today is the extension of Sir John Armitt's role as Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission to continue to provide the stability and expertise needed to support the Government in developing the ten-year infrastructure strategy.