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Cities share good practice for developing local infrastructure strategies
A new toolkit curated by the National Infrastructure Commission is offering advice to cities on developing local infrastructure strategies to underpin improvements in transport, housing and employment prospects. The guidance seeks to maximise the impact of further devolution of powers and funding to city regions recommended by the Commission, by sharing experience and knowledge between...
Armitt: A clear infrastructure policy is more vital than ever
In a comment piece published in the Sunday Telegraph on 4 October 2020, Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, Sir John Armitt, reflects on the importance of a National Infrastructure Strategy for setting out the role of infrastructure in economic recovery, meeting the net zero target and ‘levelling up’. An edited version of the article...
Armitt welcomes appointment of Neale Coleman as Commissioner
The Chancellor has today announced the appointment of Neale Coleman CBE as a Commissioner, alongside the reappointment of Tim Besley, Sadie Morgan and Bridget Rosewell for a further five year term. Sir John Armitt, Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, has welcomed the announcement by the Chancellor: “I am very pleased to welcome Neale to...
Commission’s plan to play its part in embedding diversity in infrastructure decision making
The National Infrastructure Commission has set out a roadmap for ensuring its own staff team reflects the diversity of the UK, alongside making inclusion a key factor in analysing future policy questions to help infrastructure better serve the needs of all users. The Commission’s Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2020-23 outlines plans to attract and retain...
Falling cost of renewables strengthens case for accelerating deployment
New research carried out for the National Infrastructure Commission shows how sharp falls in the cost of renewable generation mean that Britain should aim for renewables to meet two thirds of electricity needs by 2030 and that this can be delivered at the same overall cost as meeting only half of total demand by that...
Engaging younger generation with transformation of UK’s infrastructure goal for next YPP
The ten new members of the National Infrastructure Commission Young Professionals Panel meet for the first time today with a remit to build a stronger voice for younger infrastructure creators and users in the Commission’s work, at a time of increased focus on infrastructure as a key engine of economic recovery. Meeting virtually as a...
Broad view on rail benefits will help assess rail options for North and Midlands, says Commission
Decisions on future rail investment in the North and Midlands should consider factors that capture the wide range of benefits that rail transport into dense cities and towns can bring, according to the National Infrastructure Commission. The Commission has today published an interim report which sets out the methodology it proposes to use to undertake...
New package of flood prevention measures welcomed
The government had today published a policy statement on flood and coastal erosion risk management. This sets out a range of measures the government proposes taking to improve resilience to flood and coastal erosion risk. In response to the statement, Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission Sir John Armitt said: “This significant package to better...
Armitt: “Build Build Build” plans need to lock in environmental gains with long term strategy
Responding to today’s speech (‘Build Build Build’, 30 June 2020) by the Prime Minister, Sir John Armitt, Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, said: “Building back better, greener and faster are welcome ambitions and it is critical that we take immediate steps to secure jobs and build confidence across supply chains. “Opportunities remain to accelerate...
New report a “timely reminder” of need for green economic recovery plan
The latest annual report to Parliament by the Committee on Climate Change says accelerating steps to address climate change must be at the heart of any economic recovery plan, and proposes a range of green stimulus measures in tune with recommendations made by the National Infrastructure Commission. The CCC’s latest report says government should use...
A duty to prepare: vital infrastructure must be ready for the future, finds Commission
The past is not always the best guide to the future and proactive steps are needed to ensure the UK’s infrastructure can remain resilient, according to a new report by the National Infrastructure Commission. The Commission has set out a new framework to help support change across infrastructure sectors and is calling for transparent standards...
Fresh ideas to help infrastructure serve a changing society
Three-day rail season tickets to support flexible working, designing transport hubs to encourage safe post-pandemic social interaction, and securing better air quality through design are just some of the ideas proposed by young infrastructure professionals as part of a programme run by the National Infrastructure Commission. The Commission’s inaugural Young Professionals Panel (YPP) was appointed...
Armitt: Decisions now can help on long road of healing economy
Sir John Armitt, Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, has reinforced the need for long-term infrastructure planning alongside short term stimulus measures to help build confidence in the economy, in a letter to the Chancellor. His letter, sent last week, acknowledges that measures are available to stimulate demand in parts of the economy – such...
Dame Kate Barker steps down
Dame Kate Barker has stepped down as a National Infrastructure Commissioner following her appointment as Chair-elect of the Universities Superannuation Scheme. During her time at the Commission, Dame Kate led policy development on water supply, flooding and on the relationship between housing development and infrastructure. She was one of four Commissioners appointed in April 2017....
Call for input to shape vision for the future of rail in the Midlands and the north
The National Infrastructure Commission has today invited businesses, passengers, transport experts and regional leaders to share their ideas for transforming the rail landscape of the north alongside the East and West Midlands and help create a lasting legacy from the construction of High Speed 2 (HS2). The Commission has launched a new call for evidence which kicks off its work on a Rail Needs Assessment covering large parts of England and stretching north to Scotland. This assessment will inform the government’s plans for an Integrated Rail Plan for the the Midlands...
Water resources framework offers “bold vision” for future drought resilience
The Environment Agency has today published its National Framework for Water Resources. This aims to help reduce demand, halve leakage rates, develop new supplies, move water to where it’s needed and reduce the need for drought measures that can harm the environment. Commenting on the framework, Commissioner Dame Kate Barker said: “With demand for water...
Response to Budget 2020
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has set out the government’s spending plans in the Budget. In response, Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission Sir John Armitt said: “The government’s level of ambition is welcome, and we look forward to seeing how the National Infrastructure Strategy will build on this in addressing the UK’s long term...
New technologies could offer cheapest route to a net zero electricity system
Analysis published today by the National Infrastructure Commission suggests that increased investment in new technologies such as low carbon hydrogen generation could be the best way to deliver low cost power to UK consumers while also helping reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Detailed modelling using the latest available industry data suggests that...
Statement on reported delay to National Infrastructure Strategy
Media reports today indicate that the government is to delay publication of its National Infrastructure Strategy, which was to be published alongside next week’s Budget. In response Sir John Armitt, Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission said: “Naturally we are disappointed about the further delay in the government’s formal response to the National Infrastructure Assessment,...
2020 must be year of action following “decidedly mixed” progress on infrastructure priorities
Recent announcements on infrastructure spending must be set within a proper long term strategy in order to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past and to meet the challenge of climate change, according to the National Infrastructure Commission’s annual report on government progress towards key infrastructure objectives. The report notes a surge in recent announcements...
James Heath appointed National Infrastructure Commission’s Chief Executive
James Heath, currently Director of Digital Infrastructure at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the National Infrastructure Commission. James led DCMS through the Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review and Telecoms Supply Chain Review, and had overall responsibility for broadband, mobile and telecoms security policy, and the Government’s...
Armitt: Government’s infrastructure strategy can’t stop at HS2
Ministers should take their “golden moment of opportunity” to make firm decisions on developing sustainable infrastructure beyond HS2, the Chair of the government’s independent infrastructure Commission has said today. Sir John Armitt, Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, told MPs and Peers that existing projects which pass environmental and financial muster should be accelerated as...
High Speed 2 given go-ahead
The Prime Minister today confirmed the government is to proceed with the High Speed 2 rail project between London, the midlands and the north of England. The government has further indicated it seeks to ensure HS2’s full integration with existing and future transport links in the north, informed by an assessment to be undertaken by...
Passengers facing second-class mobile connectivity on UK rail network
Passengers will continue to experience inadequate mobile services on the UK’s railways due to slow government progress in fixing gaps in connectivity. The National Infrastructure Commission today warns that progress on mobile connectivity on rail has stalled since the government accepted the findings of the Commission’s 2016 Connected Future report. It is calling for clear...