National Infrastructure Strategy: Councils will need resources to deliver and knowledge economy shouldn't be forgotten about, says Bidwells

In response to yesterday’s Spending Review and National Infrastructure Strategy, which has just been published, Mike Derbyshire, head of planning at property consultancy Bidwells, said:

National Infrastructure Strategy

“It’s great to see the Government doubling down on its infrastructure and housing investment commitments. But funding must be directed to the right places.

“Since 2010, spending on the English planning system has been cut by 55 percent – the greatest fall across council activities – meanwhile housing targets over the same period have increased by 50 percent to 300,000. There is an urgent need to provide local councils with the resources needed to deliver on the Government’s levelling-up agenda. Without the resources, councils, of whom are already over-stretched, simply won’t be able to deliver.

“And while levelling-up the north is important, this agenda must not come at the expense of economic growth in other local economies, especially those that have significant potential to deliver returns for the treasury and attract inward investment from overseas – such as the Oxford-Cambridge Arc. 

“At either end of the Oxford-Cambridge Arc are the two best universities in the world that collectively see some of the world’s most promising talent walk through its doors each year. But, while attracting top talent doesn’t seem to be a problem, retaining it certainly is. By delivering vital housing, infrastructure and cutting-edge science and tech facilities, the Oxford-Cambridge Arc’s knowledge-based economy can compete on the global stage while having significant knock-on effects for the rest of the UK through supporting industries and connecting businesses. But to do so, a long-term strategy that encourages public-private collaboration is crucial.”

Bidwells also welcomed the Government's commitment to building the East-West rail link.

Patrick McMahon, senior partner at Bidwells, said: “If the Oxford-Cambridge Arc region is going to compete on the global stage post-Brexit, joining up its many tech clusters will be crucial. 

“That’s why it’s great to see the Government further committing to the East-West rail link as part of the new National Infrastructure Strategy. The Arc’s passage to economic prosperity is going to be partly dependent on the government’s commitment to infrastructure investment. 

“The area is home to some of the UK’s largest and most influential tech and life sciences businesses, including the likes of AstraZenaca, Apple and Amazon, and making sure they have access to high-quality talent must remain a priority.

“But as the Prime Minister himself says in the introduction to the Spending Review, infrastructure on its own will not create growth. To create the new Cambridges, as the PM also calls for, we must also invest in skills, research and innovation, as the review also recognises.

“For the nation to bounce back after Covid-19, we are going to need our exciting clusters across the Arc to help lead that recovery, which means that targeted spending on all types of infrastructure will be necessary this year and beyond.”

 

 



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