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Prescot: Chancellor’s speech gives welcome “green light” to OxCam Arc infrastructure upgrades
Julia Prescot

Prescot: Chancellor’s speech gives welcome “green light” to OxCam Arc infrastructure upgrades

The Commission has welcomed the speech this morning by the Chancellor, the Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP, setting out the government’s plans for growth. In it she set out new details on its plans to invest in and deliver new infrastructure projects in support of this goal, including outlining new plans for the development of...

29 Jan 2025 By
Government update on plans to tackle planning delays “welcome and timely”
A T-Pylon

Government update on plans to tackle planning delays “welcome and timely”

The government has published over the weekend (26 January) more details of its programme of planning reforms, as part of its Plan for Change to deliver long term growth. The update provides more details of the reforms in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill designed to speed up the approval of major infrastructure projects. A Planning...

27 Jan 2025 By
Ferry ‘cross the Mersey to see Liverpool’s infrastructure priorities firsthand
Aerial view over the city of Liverpool

Ferry ‘cross the Mersey to see Liverpool’s infrastructure priorities firsthand

Our Chair Sir John Armitt, Commissioner Michele Dix and members of the Commission’s secretariat spent Thursday (24 January) in Liverpool to hear from City Region Combined Authority officials and regional stakeholders about the region’s infrastructure priorities and growth ambitions – with one of the city’s famous ferries providing a vantage point from which to get...

24 Jan 2025 By
James Heath stepping down as Commission CEO
James Heath

James Heath stepping down as Commission CEO

The National Infrastructure Commission’s Chief Executive, James Heath, is stepping down in March 2025 after nearly five years in post. During this time, James has worked with Commissioners to shape strategy and policy across the UK’s economic infrastructure sectors, culminating in the second National Infrastructure Assessment. On behalf of the Commissioners, NIC Chairman Sir John...

17 Dec 2024 By
Jim Hall: new picture on flood risk shows need for concerted action
A sign for flood on a flooded road

Jim Hall: new picture on flood risk shows need for concerted action

The Environment Agency has today (17 December) published details of its National Assessment of Flood and Coastal Erosion risk in England. This makes use of improved national flood risk assessment (NaFRA2) data that shows, among other things, that 6.3m homes are in areas at risk of river, sea or surface water flooding, of which around...

17 Dec 2024 By
Clean Power 2030 Action Plan “welcome step forward” on energy decarbonisation
An image showing two men helping to build a wind turbine in County Durham

Clean Power 2030 Action Plan “welcome step forward” on energy decarbonisation

The government has this morning (Friday 13 December) published its Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, which forms part of the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change. The plan sets outs the steps which government will take to move the UK to fully renewable electricity generation, including further steps on speeding up the planning process for major...

13 Dec 2024 By
Planning changes can support renewables expansion
Picture showing workers building a solar power plant

Planning changes can support renewables expansion

The government has today announced changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the over-arching policies which outline the government’s priorities for the planning system in England. Though largely focused on changes to support the government’s housing goals, the framework also includes new guidance relating to the planning system for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs),...

12 Dec 2024 By
Sir John Armitt: PM’s plan for 150 infrastructure DCOs “a huge undertaking”
Sir John Armitt Profile Image

Sir John Armitt: PM’s plan for 150 infrastructure DCOs “a huge undertaking”

In a speech this morning, the Prime Minister has set out a number of milestones which the government aims to fulfil over this Parliament on housing, the NHS, policing, clean power and other policy areas. This includes a specific pledge to approve planning decisions on at least 150 major infrastructure projects (through the granting of...

5 Dec 2024 By
Commission welcomes steps to boost recycling in England
Recyclable plastic waste

Commission welcomes steps to boost recycling in England

The Commission is encouraged by the details in a policy update from the government (published on 29 November) setting out its plans to increase reycling rates across England, which address Commission concerns about delays to investment in new recycling capacity. The 2021 Environment Act had introduced powers to implement three key components of a future...

3 Dec 2024 By
Funding allocation reforms “step forward” for flood resilience
Aerial image of the bridge over the River Derwent at Bubwith in Yorkshire during a flood

Funding allocation reforms “step forward” for flood resilience

The government has today (13 November) announced plans to reform the funding of flood risk management, alongside a review of the existing formula to ensure it addresses the flood protection challenges of businesses, and rural and coastal communities. In response Professor Jim Hall, Commissioner at the National infrastructure Commission, said: “We welcome government’s commitment to...

13 Nov 2024 By
Advice to ministers provides “welcome clarity” on Clean Power 2030 trajectory
T pylons being constructed

Advice to ministers provides “welcome clarity” on Clean Power 2030 trajectory

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has today (5 November 2024) published details of its advice to government on the steps needed to transform electricity generation, the transmission grid and other parts of the UK’s energy system in order to deliver the government’s Clean Power 2030 objectives. The analysis notes that while meeting the 2030...

5 Nov 2024 By
Budget response: welcome announcements on capital funding, HS2 and roads
Workers fixing a pothole in Buckinghamshire

Budget response: welcome announcements on capital funding, HS2 and roads

Today (Wednesday 30 October) the government has set out its autumn Budget. It contains a number of infrastructure-related announcements including changes to capital investment rules, funding to complete the HS2 link between Old Oak Common and Euston station, and additional support for fixing roads. In response, Commission Chair Sir John Armitt said: On changes to...

30 Oct 2024 By
Energy transition crucial to North East’s growth, Commission hears
Newcastle City Centre

Energy transition crucial to North East’s growth, Commission hears

Infrastructure’s role in building a thriving regional economy for the North East was on the agenda as the Commission’s visited Newcastle yesterday (Wednesday, 16 October), and maximising the potential of the region’s existing expertise in renewable energy, as the country shifts towards a fully electric economy, featured high on the agenda. At a roundtable chaired...

17 Oct 2024 By
Welcome for “critical first step” on CCS clusters
Scene showing industrial cranes silhouetted at sunset over Teessport, Middlesbrough

Welcome for “critical first step” on CCS clusters

Government has today (4 October 2024) announced £22bn of funding to support the first two ‘clusters’ of carbon capture and storage technology, in Teesside and Merseyside. Responding to the announcement, Nick Winser, Commissioner at the National Infrastructure Commission said: “This technology is crucial for key industries and the power sector to decarbonise. Today’s announcement is...

4 Oct 2024 By
Clearer standards needed to boost economy’s resilience
Image of hand putting back up collapsed wooden blocks

Clearer standards needed to boost economy’s resilience

Government should set clear standards of resilience that infrastructure operators must maintain in the face of sudden shocks, the National Infrastructure Commission has reiterated in a new report.  Climate change and related weather extremes, alongside a heightened reliance on digital technologies, mean that the UK faces increased risks of vital networks and services being unavailable...

19 Sep 2024 By

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