Ben Wilson
Welcome for “critical first step” on CCS clusters
Government has today (4 October 2024) announced £22bn of funding to support the first two ‘clusters’ of carbon capture and storage technology, in Teesside and Merseyside. Responding to the announcement, Nick Winser, Commissioner at the National Infrastructure Commission said: “This technology is crucial for key industries and the power sector to decarbonise. Today’s announcement is...
The pre-election period: 25 May – 4 July 2024
In the run-up to the UK General Election, the Commission – like other public sector bodies – is required to act in accordance with the 2024 General Election guidance. The Commission offers independent advice to the government of the day, and it is not appropriate for it to engage in discussion of government policy during...
Principles before particulars secures project success, say NIC design experts
The National Infrastructure Commission’s Design Group has published guidance on developing and implementing design principles for major infrastructure projects. Building on the Group’s high level design principles – climate, people, places and value – the new guidance sets out a structured process for applying tailored principles at every stage of a project life cycle. The...
James Heath: urgent planning reform needed to remove “binding constraint” on UK’s economic future
James Heath, chief executive of the National Infrastructure Commission, spoke at the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects Forum in London yesterday (6 March). James offered the Commission’s view on the vital importance of speeding up the planning regime for major projects, given the need for pace in delivering tens of billions of pounds’ worth of schemes...
Views sought on project level design principles
Infrastructure professionals are being invited to share their views and experiences of working with project-specific design principles to help inform new national guidance. The National Infrastructure Commission’s Design Group, chaired by Sadie Morgan, is seeking input on how such principles can work in practice and examples of the difference they can make at different stages...
Broad coalition of public and private bodies back Commission’s vision for infrastructure
The Second National Infrastructure Assessment, published today, has already attracted broad support from a range of membership and representative bodies, as well as experts from across the sectors in the Commission’s remit. A selection of comments can be found below. The Commission is grateful to all of the many organisations it has consulted during the...
Michèle Dix to join National Infrastructure Commission
The Chancellor has today (10 October 2023) appointed Michèle Dix CBE – a former managing director of Crossrail 2 and director of planning at Transport for London – as a new Commissioner to join the National Infrastructure Commission. Announcing the appointment, Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said: “We need high quality infrastructure to deliver...
Armitt: HS2 decision “deeply disappointing”
Today (4 October 2023) the Prime Minister made an announcement on the future of High Speed 2 and the publication of the ‘Network North’ plan. Responding the the announcement, Sir John Armitt, Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, said: “High Speed 2 was part of a long term strategy with clear objectives to link up some...
Winser report on energy networks offers plan for necessary transformation
An independent report by Nick Winser, in his capacity as government’s inaugural Electricity Networks Commissioner, has been published today (4 August 2023). The report sets out recommendations for accelerating the rollout of electricity transmission infrastructure, which will be crucial to moving electricity generated from renewable sources to the places that need it. Nick’s report includes...
Letter to Ofwat on water company asset management
Commission Chief Executive James Heath has written to Ofwat Chief Executive David Black about asset management in the water sector, specifically the approach to ‘base cost’ maintenance costs for ensuring day-to-day services (e.g. replacing water mains pipes). The letter raises concerns about the lack of a consistent understanding of asset condition across the sector and...
NIC and CCC call for urgent action to protect infrastructure from climate risks
The National Infrastructure Commission and Climate Change Committee have written jointly to government urging ministers to take steps to improve the resilience of key infrastructure services to the effects of climate change. Building on recent reports by both organisations, the advisory bodies set out five steps to accelerate national adaptation planning to protect key networks:...
Go big where it counts to hit economic and climate goals, says Commission
Government must develop stronger staying power and focus on fewer, bigger, better targeted initiatives to deliver the infrastructure needed to meet its long term goals for economic growth and a lower carbon economy, the UK’s independent advisers on infrastructure have said. The last year has seen progress towards major infrastructure objectives “stutter further just as...
Response to Spring Budget: Welcome moves on devolution and CCUS
Responding to today’s Spring Budget, Sir John Armitt, Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, said: Devolution and local transport “Today’s confirmation of extensions to City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements and multi year single settlements for the West Midlands and Greater Manchester are big strides forward for devolution. “But trailblazers only warrant the name if others...
James Heath at Water Industry Forum: Long term solutions to fix ‘too much, too little, too dirty’ water
James Heath, Chief Executive of the National Infrastructure Commission, addressed the Water Industry Forum’s annual dinner in Leeds yesterday (8 March 2023). In his remarks, he sets out the ‘triple challenge’ facing the sector and the need for a fresh approach that sets out clear goals and long term strategies for achieving them, supported by...
James Heath’s speech at Northern Transport Summit: Connecting the North’s towns, cities and communities
James Heath, Chief Executive of the National Infrastructure Commission, gave a keynote address at the Northern Transport Summit held in Liverpool today (23 February 2023). In his remarks, James stresses the importance of investing in a more resilient rail service for the North, before outlining the Commission’s approach to analysing the specific role transport modes...