Rob Mallows

Communications Manager, National Infrastructure Commission

Winser: NAO call for robust plan to boost low carbon heating “absolutely right”
picture of a heat pump by a wall

Winser: NAO call for robust plan to boost low carbon heating “absolutely right”

A National Audit Office report out today (18 March 2024) says heat pump installations are falling well below the level needed to meet the government’s targets of 600,000 units installed each year by 2028. The NAO says in response that a more robust plan from government and greater clarity on the future role if any...

18 Mar 2024 By
Government response on surface water flooding risk “does not meet scale of challenge”
A car splashes through a flooded Farringdon Lane in central London after a day of heavy rain.

Government response on surface water flooding risk “does not meet scale of challenge”

The government has today (13 March 2024) responded to the Commission’s study on reducing the risks of surface water flooding, published in November 2022. While it accepts the principles behind a number of the Commission’s recommendations, the government’s response – in the Commission’s view – makes few new commitments on steps to manage surface water...

13 Mar 2024 By
Commission to explore capability of local electricity grid to support renewables push
electricity substation

Commission to explore capability of local electricity grid to support renewables push

Ensuring that the network connecting homes and businesses to the electricity supply can cope with the demands of a fully electric-powered economy will be the focus of a new piece of work by the National Infrastructure Commission. The government has today (27 February) published the terms of reference for the study, which asks the Commission...

27 Feb 2024 By
Digital future for UK roads network focus of new Commission study
Graphic showing autonomous cars

Digital future for UK roads network focus of new Commission study

Harnessing the potential of digitally connected autonomous cars and commercial vehicles to increase road safety, tackle congestion and improve the accessibility of transport services will be the focus of a new National Infrastructure Commission study on connected and automated mobility (CAM). The government has today (12 February) published the terms of reference for the study,...

12 Feb 2024 By
Coming up in 2024
Thumbtack pins in calendar concept for busy, appointment and meeting reminder

Coming up in 2024

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 foot of each website page.

1 Feb 2024 By
Hall: Measurable approach to flood risk “essential”
Flooded bridge

Hall: Measurable approach to flood risk “essential”

The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee has warned that the continued lack of a national standard for flood resilience is undermining government’s efforts to boost the country’s resilience to sea and river flooding. Its new report Resilience to flooding also raises concerns that inflation and excessive bureaucracy will reduce the number of major flood...

17 Jan 2024 By
Armitt: Hydrogen plans must proceed “at pace”
Hydrogen atoms

Armitt: Hydrogen plans must proceed “at pace”

The government has this morning (14 Dec) announced plans for eleven new projects for hydrogen production in the UK, alongside updates to its existing strategy for the development of the hydrogen manufacturing in the UK. The eleven projects will see the government invest around £400m over three years in projects producing ‘green’ hydrogen, as part...

14 Dec 2023 By
Jim Hall: clear national standards vital to improved extreme weather resilience
Picture showing storm clouds over the Isle of Wight

Jim Hall: clear national standards vital to improved extreme weather resilience

The National Audit Office has voiced concerns about the government’s progress on ensuring the UK can be resilient to the impacts of extreme weather events, in a new report out today (6 December). Government resilience: extreme weather finds that while central government has in place a range of existing protocols for managing the impacts of...

6 Dec 2023 By
“No time to lose” on planning reforms, says Commission
T-pylons under construction

“No time to lose” on planning reforms, says Commission

Today’s Autumn Statement includes announcements on steps to speed up the planning system for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs). Some of these steps are informed by the work of the National Infrastructure Commission, and related work by Nick Winser, the government’s Electricity Networks Commissioner (and also a National Infrastructure Commissioner). Responding to today’s announcements, Sir...

22 Nov 2023 By
Jim Hall: Clarity on funding, clear targets crucial to long term flood resilience
flooded house with sandbags at front door

Jim Hall: Clarity on funding, clear targets crucial to long term flood resilience

A value for money report on flood resilience in England published by the National Audit Office today (15 November) warns that under current Environment Agency plans, forty per cent fewer properties in England will be protected from flooding compared to the number first forecast in 2020. The Resilience to flooding report finds that the Environment...

15 Nov 2023 By
Long term review sets out pressing need to modernise infrastructure to support economic growth and climate action
Scout Moor windarm and the Naden Reservoirs near Rochdale

Long term review sets out pressing need to modernise infrastructure to support economic growth and climate action

Improved infrastructure to boost economic growth across the UK and meet climate goals is both achievable and affordable if the right policy steps are taken now, according to the government’s independent advisers on infrastructure strategy. The Second National Infrastructure Assessment – a five yearly review conducted by the National Infrastructure Commission – sets out a...

18 Oct 2023 By
Submission of final water plans marks important step in tackling England’s supply gap
tap water going into a glass

Submission of final water plans marks important step in tackling England’s supply gap

The National Infrastructure Commission has welcomed the submission of the remaining water company Water Resource Management Plans to Ofwat ahead of the regulator’s upcoming price review process which determines the levels of investment companies are able to make in new infrastructure. Today (31 August) is the deadline by which water companies yet to submit their...

31 Aug 2023 By
James Heath: “pace, not perfection” key to reducing infrastructure emissions
An image showing two men helping to build a wind turbine in County Durham

James Heath: “pace, not perfection” key to reducing infrastructure emissions

Commission chief executive James Heath spoke this afternoon (6 July) to the 18th Annual UK Sustainable Infrastructure Summit in London. In his remarks he explored the scale of the challenge facing the UK in fully decarbonising its energy systems by 2050 and the principles the Commission is using to guide the recommendations it will make...

6 Jul 2023 By
Jim Hall: NAO report highlights “stuttering progress” on waste reduction
Rubbish being collected in Rickmansworth

Jim Hall: NAO report highlights “stuttering progress” on waste reduction

The National Audit Office – the independent government spending watchdog – has this morning published a report highlighting what it sees as the lack of significant progress in delivering on the objectives set out in government’s waste management strategy, since its publication in 2018. Its report – The government’s resources and waste reforms for England...

30 Jun 2023 By
James Heath: The future of transport in UK cities
Leeds urban transport

James Heath: The future of transport in UK cities

The Commission’s chief executive James Heath gave a speech to the Move 2023 conference in London today (21 June 2023) exploring the questions and emerging themes which are shaping our work on urban transport ahead of the publication of the UK’s second National Infrastructure Assessment later this autumn. Our job at the National Infrastructure Commission...

21 Jun 2023 By

Evidence_Icon_Turquoise Created with Sketch.

Explore data used in the Commission's research, and gain insights from across UK infrastructure

Join our team of professionals supporting the Commission to provide evidence based and forward thinking advice on infrastructure strategy.