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Unwrapping the importance of infrastructure for everyday life
As we hurtle towards Christmas, infrastructure is perhaps not top of most people’s minds. But without it, the holidays would be rather less enjoyable (raw turkey, anyone?) and those of us travelling wouldn’t be able to get to where we are supposed to be. So this year, the National Infrastructure Commission is working with various...
Armitt: Let’s shine a light on infrastructure’s Christmas heroes
A gas network controller, a highways officer and a rail project manager are among the “hidden heroes of infrastructure” featured in a seasonal campaign by the National Infrastructure Commission to highlight the number of specialists across energy, transport and water who will be working this Christmas Day. The case studies, drawn from across the UK,...
Statement on the election of the new government
“As the independent body providing expert advice to government on how to tackle the UK’s future infrastructure challenges, we are encouraged by the extent to which the subject was discussed during the General Election campaign. Politicians across the parties have reflected people’s priorities from the doorstep: the need for clear decision making on major projects,...
A Day in the Life of our CEO
Our Chief Executive, Phil Graham, leaves the Commission in January 2020 after four years in the role. Phil led the establishment of the Commission and the landmark publication of the UK’s first National Infrastructure Assessment in 2018. Here, he sets out what his typical working day involves. 07.30 Three days a week my day begins...
The pre-election period
In the run-up to the UK General Election, the Commission – like most other public sector bodies – is required to communicate in accordance with the 2019 General Election guidance. While the Commission is independent from government, adhering to this guidance ensures we avoid undermining our role in providing impartial, trusted advice to ministers in...
A renewable future for Britain is about more than meeting net zero
Just a decade ago, the jury was out on renewables. We questioned whether wind and solar would ever be affordable and resilient enough for us to rely on them. But today, it’s a different story. This year has seen a promising milestone in Britain’s transition towards a greener economy. In September, the government awarded Contracts...
Utility regulators must have new powers if UK is to tackle climate change
The UK will fail to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 if regulators aren’t given new powers to ensure utility companies invest in sustainable infrastructure, according to a report from the National Infrastructure Commission. Chair Sir John Armitt said the UK’s regulatory system must adapt to meet the demands of the future and...
Commission vision for drought resilience recognised by engineering experts
The National Infrastructure Commission’s work on improving the resilience of England’s water supply to drought has received the Institution of Civil Engineers’ Chris Binnie Award for Sustainable Water Management. The Commission’s 2018 report Preparing for a drier future made a strong economic case for addressing future drought risk by boosting the resilience of the water...
Public transport choices and the future of mobility
Much is uncertain about the opportunities and challenges that will be presented by mobility in the future – but the choices that are made by politicians now on how to support effective public transport are sure to be critical, no matter what is ahead. Technological change can come much faster or much slower than expected,...
Falling price of renewables shows a low carbon future can be low cost
The government has announced that twelve new renewable energy projects have won Contracts for Difference (CfD) – with some offshore wind schemes being delivered for as low as £39.65/MWh. It reveals a dramatic fall in the cost of offshore wind, with the strike price representing a 30% reduction on the lowest from the second CfD...
Dealing with disruption: a YPP perspective on resilience
From safe water from our taps, to how we heat and light our homes, to the transport we use to get to work, our infrastructure provides the backbone of modern UK society. For many of us, this is something we take for granted but every so often the system is stressed or disrupted. What is...
Summer disruption highlights need to understand ‘cascade effect’ on resilience of inter-connected infrastructure systems
The National Infrastructure Commission is looking to address gaps in understanding of the resilience of complex infrastructure systems so that a repeat of this summer’s major service disruptions can be avoided. In scoping its Resilience Study the NIC has highlighted the need for a concerted effort from government and infrastructure operators to develop a much...
Sir John Armitt speech to Cities Summit
Commission Chair Sir John Armitt addressed Metro Mayors and other city leaders from around the country who came together at a Cities Summit today – as part of our cities programme – to make the case for greater autonomy over transport decisions and long-term funding for cities, as set out in the National Infrastructure Assessment....
Mayors tell PM: ‘You know the power of devolution better than anyone, now let us control our own destiny’
Today five of England’s metro mayors and leaders from cities across the country have gathered in London to set aside their political differences and demand the Prime Minister puts more power into their hands. The cross-party group is calling for further control over local transport and additional funding to help them transform connectivity in England’s...
‘Infrastructure revolution’ must be underpinned by long-term action plan
The chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission today welcomed the Chancellor’s pitch for an ‘infrastructure revolution’ in his Spending Review – but warned the National Infrastructure Strategy must deliver a truly long-term plan for the UK’s infrastructure if this aspiration is to be met. Sir John Armitt said the UK’s first-ever National Infrastructure Assessment offers a...