WIREDGOV

In advance of the government’s spending review statement and launch of the National Infrastructure Strategy on 25th November, APM has set out four suggested building blocks to underpin a sustained programme to reset the economy and recover from the impact of COVID-19.  

Debbie Dore, APM’s chief executive yesterday said:

“The project profession has played a prominent role in delivering the measures that have successfully helped to tackle the challenges posed by the pandemic. We welcome the government’s commitment to building back better through an investment programme. We would urge that government invests to underpin the successful delivery of good projects, and the four building blocks which we have set out provide a framework to do this.”

APM’s four building blocks for recovery:

1. A long-term, well planned and sustainable programme of investment co-ordinated through a national infrastructure strategy setting out a clear roadmap for the future.  A recent Ipsos MORI Global Infrastructure Index survey showed that 69 per cent of the British public believe government should prioritise infrastructure investment as part of the COVID-19 economic recovery.
2. A clear commitment and programme for Net Zero public investment combined with support for private sector innovation to create a pathway to a clean and green future, building on the Prime Minister’s recent 10-point plan. Good project management principles should be embedded from the outset. It is vital that the recovery ‘locks in’ long term solutions to decarbonise the economy, invest in smart infrastructure (both physical and digital) to underpin economic trends prior to COVID-19.
3. Funding commitments should be consistent with a genuine and sustained ‘levelling up’ agenda that will build long term capacity across the country.
4. Identify and commit to invest in the relevant skills and talent needed to deliver these ambitions effectively and in a sustained timeframe. This recognises the reality that project management skills will increasingly be required to deliver complex challenges like Net Zero effectively.

The government should continue to invest in the right capability and capacity in the project profession through the Infrastructure and Projects Authority to deliver both the infrastructure and the transformation projects and programmes over the long term to achieve successful delivery.  This should have at its heart regular assurance of value for money and public benefit for future generations.

APM will issue a response to the government's spending review and launch of the National Infrastructure Strategy following the announcement on 25th November.