Ben Wilson
Armitt on drought resilience: fixing leaks, reducing demand, building supply
In a comment piece for The Times’ Red Box, Commission Chair Sir John Armitt today sets out steps to help reduce the risk of future severe drought in England. The piece, reproduced below, argues for further action on identifying leaks, expanding water metering and reducing consumer demand, and building new supply and transfer infrastructure. Sir...
Government’s next steps on freight: welcome ambition, detailed plans now needed
This week the government published its long-term plan for the freight sector, Future of Freight. Government committed to publishing this in its response to the Commission’s 2019 study, Better Delivery: The challenge for freight. The Commission’s main conclusion in that study was that through the adoption of new technologies and the recognition of freight’s needs...
First stop Manchester for national infrastructure advisers’ fact finding tour
Ensuring Greater Manchester has the infrastructure in place to meet the needs of the year 2050 will be on the agenda as the government’s official advisers on infrastructure policy kick off a national tour with a visit to the region today (Monday 13 June). Maximising the opportunities provided by HS2, the importance of further investment...
James Heath’s speech to Utility Week Live: climate adaptation and resilience
The Commission’s Chief Executive, James Heath, today (17 May 2022) gave a keynote address at Utility Week Live on climate adaptation and resilience. The session, held at the Birmingham NEC, explored utilities’ approaches to adaptation planning and how they are seeking to build resilience to respond to the impacts of climate change already present, as...
James Heath sets out Commission’s approach to surface water flooding
James Heath, Chief Executive of the National Infrastructure Commission, addressed a Westminster Energy, Environment and Transport Forum event today (19 April 2022) on Priorities for water management. James’ speech sets out the approach the Commission is taking to its ongoing study on surface water flooding, including exploring the role of governance, performance standards and investment...
Sir John Armitt: we need a year of acceleration rather than prevarication
Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission Sir John Armitt gave an address to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Infrastructure this evening (23 February 2022) offering a look ahead to the high level challenges for infrastructure networks over the next 12 months. Sir John noted the importance of staying the course with long term plans...
Coming up in 2022
This page shows a calendar reflecting the latest expected dates for Commission reports, publications and events. You can also sign up to receive our quarterly newsletter by entering your email address in the box at the very foot of our homepage; or sign up to receive updates specifically on the programme for the second National...
Join us to discuss the current state of UK infrastructure strategy
On Wednesday 16 March, the Commission will publish its annual independent stocktake of government progress on implementing its commitments to infrastructure strategy. This year, for the first time, the Commission is holding a public online event to mark the report’s publication. You can register to attend the event here. The Commission’s Annual Monitoring Report for...
Commission calls for “real policy changes” on utilities regulation
The government has today (31 January 2022) published a policy paper in response to the Commission’s 2019 study on regulation, Strategic Investment and Public Confidence. This study highlighted that, whilst the current system of regulation had generated significant investment over the past decades, it was increasingly facing new challenges that it was not designed to...
Commission to open new office in Leeds
The National Infrastructure Commission has welcomed the Chancellor’s announcement today (20 December 2021) that the Commission will open a new office in Leeds by the end of 2023. The new office in Yorkshire will form the base for around 40 per cent of the Commission’s secretariat in the future, with others continuing to work from...
Frank debate on costs and expectations needed to prepare infrastructure for climate change
A public debate needs to be held on the right level of investment that today’s consumers and taxpayers can be expected to pay to prepare key national infrastructure for climate risks of the future, the Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission has told a Parliamentary committee. Sir John Armitt told MPs and Peers that on...
Dreaming of a green Christmas in 2035
Achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 will mean that Christmas is likely to look very different within the next 15 years. By 2035 – half way between today and the legally binding 2050 deadline for the UK to hit net zero – the UK will need to have cut emissions by 78% compared...
Commission pinpoints strategic gaps in infrastructure planning ahead of next landmark national assessment
The National Infrastructure Commission has announced the topics that will sit at the heart of its next major assessment of the UK’s long term infrastructure priorities, to be published in 2023, following analysis of the current performance of key sectors. The priorities will include identifying the infrastructure needed for hydrogen and carbon capture and storage...
Welcome spending plans should “support a more stable national infrastructure planning cycle”
Responding to today’s Budget and Spending Review, Sir John Armitt, Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, said: “With reasonable capital settlements for key areas including local transport outside London, and an increase in the guidelines for projected infrastructure spending for the long term, these announcements indicate a government keen to support a more stable national...
Commission to investigate surface water flooding risks
The government has asked the independent National Infrastructure Commission to investigate how the risks of surface water flooding can be better managed, following a spate of inland flooding incidents in recent months. The Commission will seek to identify improvements needed to England’s drainage systems to manage and mitigate surface water flooding in both urban and rural areas. Surface water flooding is the most common flood...