Following the introduction to parliament of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, chief executive officer of the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) and the Environmental Industries Commission (EIC), Kate Jennings, issued the following statement:

"The Government’s new Planning and Infrastructure Bill represents a significant and unique opportunity to kickstart economic growth whilst meeting the UK’s climate and nature ambitions.

"The Bill marks a significant step towards removing blockers, unlocking the housing and infrastructure the UK desperately needs.

"We welcome the Government’s commitment to ensuring a faster delivery of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, streamlining planning decisions, enabling strategic planning and giving confidence to investors.

"The real test now is whether these proposals actually lead to faster decision-making and delivery.

"To make faster decisions, local authorities need to be resourced effectively, which includes both adequate funding and workforce capacity.

"With a shortfall of around 200,000 workers in green industries, we also urge the Government to introduce an industry skills action plan for net zero and nature recovery.

Greater commitment to adequate resourcing and skills will enable the sector to realise the potential of this Bill.

The establishment of the Nature Restoration Fund is a positive signal that the Government is treating nature recovery seriously.

"However, we will be looking to engage with government to ensure the fund does not weaken the application of the mitigation hierarchy, does not undermine Biodiversity Net Gain and does not risk uncertainty in nature markets."