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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...
Broad coalition of public and private bodies back Commission’s vision for infrastructure
The Second National Infrastructure Assessment, published today, has already attracted broad support from a range of membership and representative bodies, as well as experts from across the sectors in the Commission’s remit. A selection of comments can be found below. The Commission is grateful to all of the many organisations it has consulted during the...
Michèle Dix to join National Infrastructure Commission
The Chancellor has today (10 October 2023) appointed Michèle Dix CBE – a former managing director of Crossrail 2 and director of planning at Transport for London – as a new Commissioner to join the National Infrastructure Commission. Announcing the appointment, Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said: “We need high quality infrastructure to deliver...
Armitt: HS2 decision “deeply disappointing”
Today (4 October 2023) the Prime Minister made an announcement on the future of High Speed 2 and the publication of the ‘Network North’ plan. Responding the the announcement, Sir John Armitt, Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, said: “High Speed 2 was part of a long term strategy with clear objectives to link up some...
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...
Winser report on energy networks offers plan for necessary transformation
An independent report by Nick Winser, in his capacity as government’s inaugural Electricity Networks Commissioner, has been published today (4 August 2023). The report sets out recommendations for accelerating the rollout of electricity transmission infrastructure, which will be crucial to moving electricity generated from renewable sources to the places that need it. Nick’s report includes...
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...
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...
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...
Cornwall’s green energy ambitions
Members of the Commission secretariat travelled to Truro on Tuesday (6 June) for discussions with local political leaders, infrastructure operators and businesses and voluntary sector bodies from across the county – and energy was high up the agenda. Hosted by senior officials from Cornwall Council and joined by the leader and chief executive, the session...
Commission welcomes net zero duty for Ofgem
The goverment has confirmed plans to amend the Energy Security Bill, currently before the House of Commons, to give the energy regulator Ofgem a new explicit net zero duty. The amendment will legally require the regulator to ensure its decisions assist the governmen’s drive to deliver zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and boost investment...