Ben Wilson

James Heath: urgent planning reform needed to remove “binding constraint” on UK’s economic future
A modern bridge over a dual carriageway cutting through British farmland

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...

7 Mar 2024 By
Views sought on project level design principles
Pedestrians crossing an unusual shaped footbridge over rail tracks

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...

31 Jan 2024 By
Broad coalition of public and private bodies back Commission’s vision for infrastructure

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...

18 Oct 2023 By
Michèle Dix to join National Infrastructure Commission

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...

10 Oct 2023 By
Armitt: HS2 decision “deeply disappointing”

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...

4 Oct 2023 By
Winser report on energy networks offers plan for necessary transformation
A wind turbine and electricity pylon

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...

4 Aug 2023 By
Letter to Ofwat on water company asset management
Workers repairing a storm sewer

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...

19 May 2023 By
NIC and CCC call for urgent action to protect infrastructure from climate risks
Wind turbines against a stormy sky

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:...

27 Apr 2023 By
Go big where it counts to hit economic and climate goals, says Commission
Front cover image from IPR

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...

27 Mar 2023 By
Response to Spring Budget: Welcome moves on devolution and CCUS
Sir John Armitt Profile Image

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...

15 Mar 2023 By
James Heath at Water Industry Forum: Long term solutions to fix ‘too much, too little, too dirty’ water
A garden being watered with a hosepipe

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...

9 Mar 2023 By
James Heath’s speech at Northern Transport Summit: Connecting the North’s towns, cities and communities
Leeds from the air

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...

23 Feb 2023 By
Government infrastructure advisers open Leeds office
National Infrastructure Commission opens in Leeds LtR John Flint CEO UK Infrastructure Bank, Dept Leader Jonathan Pryor; Sir John Armitt.

Government infrastructure advisers open Leeds office

The UK government’s independent advisers on national infrastructure have today (Tuesday 24 January 2023) opened an office base in Leeds. The National Infrastructure Commission has taken space in One Embankment, the central Leeds offices which also serve as the headquarters of the UK Infrastructure Bank. Deputy Leader of Leeds City Council Cllr Jonathan Pryor joined...

24 Jan 2023 By
Armitt: Skidmore Net Zero report “nails argument that inaction now will cost us all in the long run”
Field of solar panels against a blue sky

Armitt: Skidmore Net Zero report “nails argument that inaction now will cost us all in the long run”

The Commission has welcomed Mission Zero, an independent review by Chris Skidmore MP on government’s approach to delivering its legally binding net zero target, specifically “how to deliver and implement most effectively and efficiently a plan for our future energy transition”. Chris Skidmore’s report, published today (13 January 2023), highlights the centrality of transforming the...

13 Jan 2023 By
Sir John Armitt reappointed Chair and Julia Prescot appointed Deputy Chair
Sir John Armitt pictured during a Commission meeting

Sir John Armitt reappointed Chair and Julia Prescot appointed Deputy Chair

Sir John Armitt has been reappointed as Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission for a further two years while current Commissioner Julia Prescot has been appointed Deputy Chair. In an announcement made by HM Treasury today (10 January 2023), the Chancellor has confirmed that Sir John’s tenure as Chair will now end in January 2025...

10 Jan 2023 By

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