As the general election campaign continues, the Blueprint for Growth shares 12 recommendations for the future government from major names in the construction and infrastructure industry
The Blueprint for Growth is a collaborative effort between AtkinsRéalis, Balfour Beatty, Bam, Costain, Galliford Try, Laing O’Rourke, Mace, Morgan Sindall, Mott MacDonald, Vinci Construction, VolkerWessels UK and WSP.
Collectively directly employing nearly 100,000 people across the UK and representing £25bn of UK revenue – which the group argue can be factored by at least a three-fold economic impact as infrastructure investment generates significantly wider economic benefit in the wider supply chain and communities – the Blueprint for Growth represents the asks of a significant portion of the UK infrastructure and construction industry.
UK infrastructure faces a variety of roadblocks to success
The current government’s Major Projects Portfolio consists of an unprecedented 244 projects requiring delivery.
The 12 contractors identify “an established and clear correlation between investment in infrastructure and GDP growth – with the industry one of the most effective, efficient, and sustainable ways of spreading jobs and skills across the country”, emphasising the need for political action.
The Blueprint for Growth asks that the future government will:
Depoliticise infrastructure.
Appoint a Cabinet Minister responsible for infrastructure.
Increase private investment in public infrastructure.
Timely, holistic decision-making on key areas.
Improve budget setting for infrastructure schemes.
Efficient risk allocation.
Investment continuity.
Simplify the judicial review process.
Mandate consideration of the national interest.
Self-certification system to accelerate delivery of infrastructure projects.
Transform the Apprenticeship Levy.
A flexible immigration system.
The collective behind the Blueprint for Growth represents a significant commitment from the UK infrastructure and construction industry to collaborate with policymakers, industry stakeholders and government agencies to engineer a stronger UK infrastructure sector.
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