The National Infrastructure Commission cannot afford to be way-laid by politics, but instead must focus on long-term planning to tackle the challenges the UK will face in coming decades, according to a new CBI paper.
In Plotting the Course, the UK’s largest business group outlines eight key areas the Commission should prioritise, including: Delivering a secure, diverse low-carbon energy supply; Preparing for the roll-out of 5G mobile connectivity; Ensuring the impact of climate change is factored in when planning water supplies and flood defences; Devising creative solutions to meet the future growing demand on the UK’s roads, rails and ports.
Rhian Kelly, CBI business environment director, said: “The National Infrastructure Commission gives the UK the perfect opportunity to carefully and strategically plot the course of its long-term infrastructure needs.
“It allows both Government and business to plan now for the challenges that the decades to come will bring, like the effects of climate change and increased demand on our infrastructure.
“With a strong Commission, we can deliver the projects – from upgrading our digital connectivity to boost productivity, to investing in new energy sources for a low-carbon economy – that will enable firms up and down the country to get on with growing our economy and creating jobs for the long-run.
“For this to happen though, it’s vital the Commission is not blown off course by politics. This independent body must be given strong teeth by politicians so that it can recommend significant infrastructure decisions, like building a new runway in the South East, are made for the future benefit of all.”
In Plotting the Course, the UK’s largest business group outlines eight key areas the Commission should prioritise, including: Delivering a secure, diverse low-carbon energy supply; Preparing for the roll-out of 5G mobile connectivity; Ensuring the impact of climate change is factored in when planning water supplies and flood defences; Devising creative solutions to meet the future growing demand on the UK’s roads, rails and ports.
Rhian Kelly, CBI business environment director, said: “The National Infrastructure Commission gives the UK the perfect opportunity to carefully and strategically plot the course of its long-term infrastructure needs.
“It allows both Government and business to plan now for the challenges that the decades to come will bring, like the effects of climate change and increased demand on our infrastructure.
“With a strong Commission, we can deliver the projects – from upgrading our digital connectivity to boost productivity, to investing in new energy sources for a low-carbon economy – that will enable firms up and down the country to get on with growing our economy and creating jobs for the long-run.
“For this to happen though, it’s vital the Commission is not blown off course by politics. This independent body must be given strong teeth by politicians so that it can recommend significant infrastructure decisions, like building a new runway in the South East, are made for the future benefit of all.”
