New Union Jack infrastructure plaques announced
Publicly-funded infrastructure projects will be branded with a Union Jack plaque to recognise taxpayers' key contribution in funding vital projects.
Publicly-funded infrastructure projects – including roads, flood defences and broadband cabinets – will soon be branded with a Union Jack plaque, the government will announce tomorrow (Monday 2 March).
On a visit to the south-west, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander will say that the flag plaques, which he developed jointly with Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude, will brand major projects along the length and breadth of the UK.
The flags are designed to recognise the UK taxpayer’s key contribution in funding vital infrastructure projects across the country.
With £466 billion of planned projects in the pipeline, the government has committed to publicly-fund a significant element, providing a crucial motor in re-starting economic growth.
Only last week, the Secretary General of the OECD praised the UK’s investment in infrastructure and called on the government to “continue to build on the progress made with the National Infrastructure Plan” to ensure that the UK’s “textbook” recovery continues.
Having established the National Infrastructure Plan in 2010, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander said:
I’ve prioritised infrastructure in this government because only long-term investments will support UK businesses and get the public finances and economy on a firm footing.
It’s only right that we recognise the contribution of the UK taxpayer in supporting this economic growth, which is why I’m delighted to launch these Union Jack plaques, which will proudly adorn infrastructure investments from roads in Cornwall to broadband in Caithness.
Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude added:
As part of our long term economic plan, this government is investing in our nation’s physical and digital infrastructure. Whether it’s High Speed 2 investment in the Northern Powerhouse or superfast broadband connecting Cornwall and Wales, all future infrastructure projects funded for by UK taxpayers will carry this simple UK flag branding.