Infrastructure
Levelling up the rail network
Despite the coronavirus crisis, planning for the long-term economy of the country must carry on. Sir John Armitt, chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, explains why they are launching their consultation on the future of rail infrastructure
Finding our levels
While austerity could be over 'as a process and a direction', the spending spree may not be quite as generous as it first appears – and there will be more devolution deals to come. Heather Jameson digests the Budget with sector experts.
Levelling up and the Budget
Lord Bob Kerslake argues that a coherent plan is needed to ensure the Budget’s new capital spending and R&D cash geared at areas outside London and the South East has maximum impact.
Social infrastructure needs funding too
Stephen Evans argues that for devolution to have the biggest impact, it must be about all regions – but he says the importance of cities is not determined solely by economic impact.
Budget 2020: Putting the numbers in perspective
By recent standards the Chancellor’s Budget jokes were pretty good, says Charlotte Alldritt of the Centre for Progressive Policy. But it is time to get serious, if the government is going to deliver on its levelling up agenda.
The future of British Steel looks ‘very positive’
Securing the former Redcar steelworks site from SSI marks the start of a new era for Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool, says Ben Houchen - and the Chancellor’s £22.5m commitment for the Materials Processing Institute was a critical step forward.
A Budget for growth – so where is the catch?
Chancellor Rishi Sunak's Budget may not have delivered much for council revenues – for adult or children’s social care – but it is squarely aimed at boosting productivity and growth, writes Heather Jameson.
Budget 2020: Sunak gambles on capital spending splurge
Despite volatility caused by coronavirus and a sluggish increase in the economy, the chancellor has decided to gamble that a big increase in capital spending will deliver higher growth and productivity by the next election.
Budget 2020: Mayoral authorities win big in transport
The Government has unveiled £4.2bn for urban transport as part of its spring budget giveaways.
Budget 2020: Sunak announces ‘record’ £5bn broadband investment for hardest to reach areas
Chancellor Rishi Sunak today announced in the Budget a ‘record’ £5bn investment to get gigabit –capable broadband into the hardest to reach parts of the UK.
Plan to tackle £66.8m hike in cost of Birmingham Games scheme
Birmingham City Council is reporting ‘substantial progress’ in the delivery of a regeneration scheme key to the 2022 Commonwealth Games, but that a net cost increase of £66.8m has emerged.
Flybe collapse hits council-owned airports
The airline entered administration this morning, leading to the grounding of all flights.
Budget must provide clarity on infrastructure priorities
This month’s Budget must focus on providing more detail on how the Government’s approach will support the levelling up required for the country to prosper in a carbon-conscious, post-Brexit world, says Will McWilliams.
Go big or go home
Chair of the UK2070 Commission into spatial inequalities Lord Bob Kerslake says everyone will lose if we fail to tackle the widening productivity and wealth gap.
OECD report on Core Cities is key to 'levelling up' the UK
Productivity in the UK’s Core Cities is low by national and international standards and they have the potential for much stronger and more inclusive growth, according to a new report from the OECD.
Infrastructure means more than counting cranes
Local government and wider public services have a challenge, says Graeme McDonald. How do we ensure investment in immediate preventative activities is able to compete for finite resources with investment in tangible 'bricks and mortar' projects?
Off the rails in Bristol
Announcements of new cash for stations are usually quickly hailed as brilliant news by local politicians.
South-east in plea for funding ‘fairness’
Deprived areas in the south-east require investment as much as northern England, the chairman of Greater Brighton City Region has argued.
Sharing our specialist local plan know-how
Many councils simply lack the staff to prepare a local plan, but Richard Kay outlines how Peterborough City Council tackled this by deciding to share its spare capacity, providing important expertise to other councils.
Hertfordshire’s growing gains
Patsy Dell describes how collaborative working across the two-tier system has delivered a place-based programme that responds proactively to Hertfordshire’s growth ambitions and challenges.