The UK Government recently published its long-awaited National Infrastructure Strategy. This strategy outlines the Government's plans to develop the UK's infrastructure networks. Its three central objectives are economic recovery, levelling up and strengthening the Union, and meeting the UK's net-zero emissions target by 2050. By providing up to £27 billion, the Government wants to deliver a radical improvement into the UK Infrastructure quality.
With the announcement of the Government’s latest infrastructure strategy, we have compiled a list of our key takeaways, which we can categorize into two main talking points: Levelling up the UK and Decarbonizing the Economy.
Levelling Up The UK
To unite and level up the UK, the Government aims to unleash the full potential of the Union, improving regions and cities across the country. To do this, the Government is looking at delivering significant investments across the UK, focusing on areas that may have received less support in the past.
Community and Business Support
• The Government has announced a £4 billion cross-departmental Levelling Up Fund, investing in local infrastructure projects across England.
Investment into UK Cities
• £4.2 billion in support for the largest city regions outside of London with intra-city transport links.
• The freeports programme will bring jobs, investment and opportunities to the most deprived communities across the country.
• The Town Fund will invest in revitalizing over 100 town centres and high streets across the UK.
Creating A United Britain
• Delivering essential North-South connectivity by investing further into H2S, including transformational improvements in the Midlands and the North;
• Over £27 billion in investments towards strategic roads across the country
• £5bn has been pledged over parliament to transform bus services and cycling infrastructure, including £1.3bn earmarked for EV charging
• Reviewing options to connect the four nations of the UK by improving transport.
Decarbonizing The Economy And Adapting To Climate Change
Infrastructure investment is fundamental to delivering net zero emissions by 2050. By accelerating the deployment of existing technologies and advancing new developments such as carbon capture and low-carbon hydrogen, the Government aims to tackle climate change face-on and create jobs to support the UK’s recovery from Covid-19.
• Funding for the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, which has set out the Government’s vision to tackle climate change
• Significant investments into offshore wind and modern ports.
• £525 million will be provided for development into advanced nuclear technologies.
• £1 billion will be invested to support carbon capture and storage in four industrial clusters;
• Creating an enduring regulatory environment promoting energy efficiency;
• Supporting the roll out of existing technologies such as heat pumps.
• £5.2 billion is to be invested by 2027 in order to better protect 336,000 properties against flooding and coastal erosion as a result of climate change.
Transport Decarbonisation Plan
The new spending plan also includes a total budget of £23.5 billion for the Department for Transport and in particular for rail, roads, buses, cycling infrastructure and the decarbonization of transport. Nearly £1.9 billion will be spent on electric vehicle infrastructure and grants for zero and ultra-low emissions vehicles.
Our award-winning professional consultancy is perfectly placed to assist our ever-growing portfolio of clients with delivery of this new strategy.