WIREDGOV

Sir John Armitt today welcomed the central role that infrastructure continues to play in the Government’s Industrial Strategy one year on from its launch – and the alignment between its commitment to clean growth and improved productivity and the  recommendations in the UK’s first-ever National Infrastructure Assessment.

The chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission urged Ministers to use next year’s National Infrastructure Strategy to adopt the Commission’s proposals, including around supporting electric vehicle take-up, making the most of renewable energy sources and devolving powers and funding to city leaders to develop long-term plans to meet their local transport needs.

He also highlighted where progress is already being made, including the Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review which in line with the National Infrastructure Assessment includes plans to subsidise the roll-out of full fibre broadband to rural communities to ensure nationwide coverage, and the increased role of low-carbon sources in meeting the UK’s electricity needs.

Chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission Sir John Armitt said:

“One year ago, we welcomed that infrastructure had a place at the heart of the Government’s Industrial Strategy – with particular focus on delivering low-carbon technologies, improving transport networks and using the latest digital technologies.

“Since then we’ve published the National Infrastructure Assessment, the recommendations from which are in line with these aims and others.  In particular, we highlight the need to roll-out full fibre broadband across the whole country which is already being enacted, making the most of what renewables can offer, and developing the charging network needed to support ever-greater take-up of electric vehicles.  We’ve also proposed putting more funding and powers in the hands of city leaders to develop long-term transport plans for their communities.

“By the Industrial Strategy’s next anniversary, Ministers will have responded to our recommendations and I look forward to working with them as they develop this over the coming months to ensure the country’s infrastructure needs can be met long into the future.”