Title

INFRASTRUCTURE

Spending Review: Infrastructure gets pride of place

The chancellor Rishi Sunak used the 2020 Spending Review to launch a new strategy for UK infrastructure.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak used the Spending Review to launch a new strategy for UK infrastructure, supported by a new bank and 'levelling up' fund.

The Government's comprehensive national infrastructure strategy, released today, will be supported by £27bn of public funding next year, with the Spending Review 'delivering £100bn total investment in 2021/22 to support the recovery'.

Government officials said the strategy was based around three central objectives: economic recovery, levelling up and unleashing the potential of the Union, and meeting the UK's net zero emissions target by 2050.

Mr Sunak revealed that the new infrastructure bank would be headquartered in the north of England and would work with the private sector to finance major new investment projects across the UK, starting this spring.

He also announced a new levelling up fund, worth £4bn in England.

The bank will prioritise bids to drive growth and regeneration in places in need, those facing particular challenges and areas that have received less government investment in recent years.

Mr Sunak said: 'Projects must have real impact, must be delivered in this Parliament and they must command local support including from their member of parliament.

'This is about funding the infrastructure of everyday life, a new bypass, upgraded railway stations, less traffic, new libraries, museums and galleries, better high streets.'

The Spending Review also confirmed multi-year funding certainty for existing projects such as school and hospital rebuilding, and flagship transport schemes.

Treasury officials said they were targeting 'additional investment in areas which will improve the UK's competitiveness in the long-term, backing new investments in cutting-edge research and clean energy sources of the future'.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Finding a permanent solution to a temporary problem

By Rebecca Davis | 30 July 2026

Using the results from a recent service set up in the West Midlands, Rebecca Davis reveals how collaborative regional recruitment can empower councils to red...

INFRASTRUCTURE

How to keep away from the cliff edge and thrive

By Steve Guest | 30 July 2026

Nicola Chiverton and Steve Guest outline how, with the right planning and leadership development, a period of significant change and challenges can become on...

INFRASTRUCTURE

Let's treat heritage buildings as civic infrastructure

By Jonathan Werran | 29 July 2026

Jonathan Werran asks if heritage buildings can prove an unlikely policy winner for a prime minister with a degree in English literature from Cambridge.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Total Place: Still all about leadership

By Stephen Taylor | 29 July 2026

Stephen Taylor and Max Wide reflect on the lessons from Total Place 1.0 and the implications for Total Place 2.0 and conclude the need for bold, mature, cons...

Popular articles by Dominic Browne