News
Updated pipeline helps the country build better
The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) has shared the updated ‘UK infrastructure pipeline’, the forward look of major infrastructure programmes and projects across the UK over the next 10 years.
The plan covers 734 projects worth £718 billion, and includes work such as new hospitals, schools, railways, reservoirs and clean energy plants. Supporting the 10 year infrastructure strategy also from NISTA, it includes information on public and privately delivered infrastructure programmes and projects in construction, under development or in pre-project stages.
NISTA Chief Executive, Head of the Project Delivery Function, Becky Wood said:
“Transforming UK infrastructure needs a three-way collaboration between government, investors and industry to succeed. The infrastructure pipeline is the foundation on which this relationship thrives, and this update now gives investors more granular information about forthcoming investable opportunities they told us they need for their strategic planning.
“Our industry partners across the sector can only invest in new skills, capacity and technology with the right data to assess what the pipeline means in the delivery context. By adding new information on what future workforce demand looks like they can plan with confidence, and the pipeline is also better placed to support the investment government is already making to address the construction skills gap.”
What the infrastructure pipeline does
Think of it as a forward look for infrastructure. Departments, investors and builders now know what committed programmes and projects are expected to be built, where, and when. This means industry can start getting ready long before the building work begins, for example by training workers, investing in equipment and making plans. Only programmes and projects that have already been announced publicly are included.
What’s new?
This update is bigger and more detailed than before. For the first time, it includes:
- how many workers will be needed: between 629,000 and 706,000 builders and workers every year for the next five years
- what skills those workers will need: this will help us plan to get the right training
- where the workforce will be required: London, the south east of England and the north west of England have some of the highest workforce demand over the next 5 years
It also gives investors clearer information about which programmes and projects need private funding. Of the 734 projects, 240 are potential opportunities for private investment, and 40 are already looking for up to £21 billion.
Why does this matter?
This plan helps the government build a stronger economy and create jobs all over the UK. For our community, it helps us:
- see what is planned across different parts of the country
- spot problems early, like too many programmes and projects needing the same workers at the same time
- focus on the right projects and plan ahead
This is important now because there are not enough skilled builders and engineers. The earlier we can see what is coming, the better we can prepare.
What happens next?
NISTA will keep improving the plan based on feedback.