The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority – NISTA - has been launched today (1 April).

The government has brought together the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) and the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) to form the single organisation.

NISTA brings strategy and delivery under one roof to accelerate the delivery of major government projects – supporting delivery of roads, railways, schools and hospitals - by overcoming barriers and providing expertise on private finance, alongside developing and implementing the 10-year infrastructure strategy.

The government says over recent years uncertainty about infrastructure plans and policy and poor delivery has inhibited investment in programmes and supply chains, pushing up end costs for consumers.

Analysis from the Construction Leadership Council of 20,000 projects has found those with the best planning at the start of a project, had 20% lower costs and were delivered up to 15%.

The 2024 National Infrastructure Commission report on cost drivers of infrastructure projects in the UK found that a lack of a long-term strategic vision and plan for infrastructure was a root cause of higher costs.

The government says NISTA and the 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy will set the long-term plan needed to address many of these issues.

Alongside this, today the government has published the Teal book, the definitive guide for successful project delivery in government, which is set to transform how government projects are planned, managed and delivered.

Darren Jones, chief secretary to the treasury, said: “NISTA will get a grip on the delays to infrastructure delivery that for too long have plagued our global reputation with investors.

“Today we are ushering in a new era for infrastructure delivery, restoring the confidence of businesses to invest and driving a decade of national renewal, powering growth across the country, and delivering on our Plan for Change.”

Today’s launch of NISTA is part of a three-pronged approach to addressing the fundamental constraints to infrastructure investment, sitting alongside the 10-year infrastructure strategy, which sets out a long-term plan for the country’s infrastructure, and the new Planning and Infrastructure Bill to unblock planning constraints.

The move has also been welcomed by industry.

Richard Whitehead, AECOM CEO for Europe and India, said: “This new body further demonstrates the government’s commitment to accelerating the delivery of essential infrastructure and marks a significant step forward in addressing long-standing infrastructure challenges in the UK.

“We are pleased to see the government taking strong political leadership by integrating infrastructure strategy and policy. In addition, a stable infrastructure pipeline, insulated from political cycles, is vital for attracting private finance, maintaining long-term certainty, and ensuring the efficient delivery of major projects.

“This announcement, alongside the recent streamlining of regulatory processes and reforms to the planning system, lays the foundation for growth, instils investor confidence, and advances the government’s 10-year infrastructure strategy. We look forward to engaging with the NISTA leadership.”

NISTA is currently being led by Jean-Christophe Gray, who will act as interim chief executive until the permanent chief executive is appointed - this will be announced shortly.