Lord Adonis, Chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission, Spending Review Response
'The significant investment announced in today's Spending Review represents a welcome step in the right direction – but it is only a start.'
Responding to today’s Spending Review, Lord Adonis, Chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission, said:
We need to transform the way we plan and deliver major infrastructure projects in this country. The significant investment announced in today’s Spending Review represents a welcome step in the right direction – but it is only a start.
We will only truly address the UK’s infrastructure needs if we consistently plan for the long-term – not just over a year or a parliament but through properly assessing and acting on Britain’s strategic needs over the coming 20 to 30 years.
The new Transport Development Fund provides a valuable opportunity to make early progress in the major projects we require to better connect the great cities of the North and improve London’s transport network. The Chancellor should now look at extending this model to cover long-term strategic requirements across the board.
In the coming months the independent National Infrastructure Commission will complete our first three studies, and begin the work leading to the UK’s first National Infrastructure Assessment. We will provide firm recommendations on major projects, strategic direction, and investment – and where government and others can and should do more we will make that clear.
To secure the jobs and growth of the future, we have to get serious about planning and delivering the infrastructure this country needs to succeed.