The Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) has backed a new report from the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC), which says the UK government must develop stronger staying power and focus on fewer, bigger, better targeted initiatives to deliver the infrastructure needed to meet its long term goals for economic growth and a lower carbon economy.

In response, ACE says the UK needs a confident, robust and non-partisan approach to infrastructure policy, with infrastructure being central to a green and prosperous UK recovery.

Stephen Marcos Jones, ACE chief executive, said: "We support the points raised by the NIC today.

“Like the announcements made around HS2 earlier this month, further delays and a lack of long-term strategy and commitment to major infrastructure projects result in uncertainty throughout the industry.

"It's uncertainty which damages confidence in the UK's economic and social recovery, does nothing to help the much vaunted levelling up agenda, and ends up being a complete false economy.

“We support the call for greater clarity for industry from government as well as the devolution of funding and decision-making to local areas.

“Additionally, some of the recommendations mirror the asks of our 2023 Policy Manifesto specifically in relation to post-project appraisal and reviewing lessons learnt as well as the importance of proposals to speed up National Significant Infrastructure Projects.

“The UK needs a confident, robust and non-partisan approach to infrastructure policy, with infrastructure being central to a green and prosperous UK recovery.”

ENDS