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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...
Window closing on infrastructure catch up, warn government advisers
Failure to go further, faster over the next five years on plans for infrastructure delivery could constrain economic growth and threaten climate targets, according to the government’s official infrastructure advisers. Noting the UK has faced several years of disruption from Covid and the cost-of-living crisis, the National Infrastructure Commission’s annual review charts a mixed picture...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
“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...
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...
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...