ICE comment on infrastructure project spending review

Chris Richards, ICE Director of Policy said,

“The news that the Government is reviewing major infrastructure projects like Sizewell C, HS2, and Northern Powerhouse Rail is concerning. Public infrastructure projects are critical for economic growth and to meet our levelling up and net zero objectives. Rather than thinking about these projects as a cost, we need to think about them as an investment in our future.

If the current projects like Sizewell C are not deemed to be viable, we need the government to provide alternative solutions. Otherwise, we will not meet our national objectives and people throughout the country will continue to experience the difficulties associated with rising costs and severely strained public systems. We need to stop kicking the can down the road on infrastructure programmes as the result is a £60bn bailout from failing to plan strategically for energy security.

To mitigate financial concerns, the government should consider reprofiling programmes rather than cutting them outright. Focusing on a few, high-quality projects that will delivery key objectives will result in better outcomes for the country over the long term than wide-ranging cuts. A significant amount of public time and money has already gone into scoping and planning these projects. If they are abandoned, that effort is wasted along with the skills and talent being developed to bring them to fruition.

The National Infrastructure Strategy outlines what the country’s infrastructure needs are and prioritises lowering costs over the long term. We urge the government to stick to this plan.”