Ben Wilson
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...
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...
“The priority now is to get on with it”: Sir John Armitt responds to government’s net zero strategies
The government has today (19 October 2021) published a number of documents setting out commitments to support the transition to a lower carbon economy. Responding to publication of the Heat and Buildings Strategy, Sir John Armitt, Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, said: “Kick starting the heat pump market to reduce costs for households to...
Government accepts Commission’s recommendations for better resilience
The government has today (15 September 2021) published its formal response to the Commission’s 2020 study on resilience, Anticipate, react, recover – Resilient infrastructure systems. This study called for a new framework for resilience which anticipates future shocks and stresses; improves actions to resist, absorb and recover from them by testing for vulnerabilities; values resilience...
Hydrogen strategy “an important milestone” but clarity on costs needed soon
The Commission has welcomed today’s publication (17 August 2021) of the government’s UK hydrogen strategy and associated consultations, noting that the outcomes of the latter will need to address the challenges of reducing the cost of hydrogen production and ensuring a fair distribution of those costs. Sir John Armitt, Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission,...
Government responds to Commission’s study on future of freight
The government has today (4 August 2021) published its formal response to the Commission’s 2019 study, Better delivery: the challenge for freight. This study found that through the adoption of new technologies and the recognition of freight’s needs in the planning system, it is possible to decarbonise road and rail freight by 2050 and manage...
Climate resilience focus welcomed in proposed water strategic policy statement
The National Infrastructure Commission has welcomed aspects of the draft Strategic Policy Statement for Ofwat, published today (22 July 2021). The statement sets out the government’s strategic priorities and expectations for Ofwat’s regulation of the water sector in England. Giles Stevens, Director of Policy at the National Infrastructure Commission, said: “Strategic policy statements play an...
Commission responds to net zero transport plans
The government’s Transport Decarbonisation Plan was published on 14 July 2021, with the initial announcement including confirmation that government will consult on a 2035 date for ending the sale of new diesel and petrol vans, and a 2040 date for ending the sale of new larger HGVs. Sir John Armitt, Chair of the National Infrastructure...