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UK government's infrastructure spending plan unveiled UK government's infrastructure spending plan unveiled
(about 1 hour later)
The government has unveiled its latest infrastructure spending plan for the next two decades. The government has unveiled its infrastructure spending plan for the next two decades, describing it as "a blueprint for Britain".
The National Infrastructure Plan (NIP) includes the government selling off its 40% stake in the Eurostar rail service.The National Infrastructure Plan (NIP) includes the government selling off its 40% stake in the Eurostar rail service.
In all, about £375bn of investment in energy, transport, communications, and water projects is planned. About £375bn of investment in energy, transport, communications, and water projects is planned, although no new money will be forthcoming.
The insurance industry, which has not traditionally been a big infrastructure investor, has also committed to spend £25bn over the next five years. The insurance industry also plans to spend £25bn over the next five years.
Redevelopment Speaking at the Institute of Civil Engineers in Westminster, Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said the plan was "a blueprint for Britain" that would lead to "long-term sustainable growth".
The Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, told the BBC: "The most important thing we've done as a government is create an environment in which people want to come in and invest in British infrastructure." "Underground, overground, on shore, offshore, wired or wireless, tarmac or train track. You name it, we're building it right now," he said.
But he admitted that the UK had "underinvested... over several decades". Earlier, he told the BBC that the UK had "underinvested... over several decades".
Denying that there was a north-south divide in how spending was being allocated, Mr Alexander said: "There are projects going on in every part of the country." He denied that there was a north-south divide in how spending was being allocated, saying: "There are projects going on in every part of the country."
Previous infrastructure spending programmes have been criticised for slow progress, but Mr Alexander said that of the 646 projects outlined in this plan, 291 had already been completed. Last month, Eurostar posted a rise in revenues and passenger numbers compared with last summer, but Mr Alexander said no final decision had been made on the proposed sale.
The NIP projects include: Previous infrastructure spending programmes have been criticised for slow progress, but he said that of the 646 projects outlined in this plan, 291 had already been started or completed.
Last month, Eurostar posted a rise in revenues and passenger numbers compared with last summer. Katja Hall, chief policy director of the employers' organisation, the CBI, said: "With the majority of national infrastructure projects earmarked to be delivered by the private sector, the insurance industry's £25bn investment is good news."
Transport But Chris Leslie, shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, said: "With the country facing a cost-of-living crisis we need to invest in infrastructure to create jobs, boost living standards, and strengthen our economy for the long term."
Jeremy Blackburn, UK head of policy for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), said the government should prioritise regional transport infrastructure investment. The government's record on infrastructure had been one of "complete failure", he said.
"The better connected those areas are the easier it is to move passengers, freight, goods and services," he told the BBC. Jeremy Blackburn, UK head of policy for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics), said the government should prioritise regional transport infrastructure investment.
"The better connected those areas are, the easier it is to move passengers, freight, goods and services," he told the BBC.
This would attract investment and help create jobs, he argued.This would attract investment and help create jobs, he argued.
RICS also called for more investment in commercial and residential property, and reiterated its support for the HS2 rail project. Rics also called for more investment in commercial and residential property, and reiterated its support for the HS2 rail project.
Simultaneously to the NIP announcement, the insurance industry is unveiling that it will invest £25bn in infrastructure projects. Insurance spending
Simultaneously to the NIP announcement, the insurance industry unveiled plans to invest £25bn in a range of infrastructure projects.
The decision by insurers L&G, Prudential, Aviva, Standard Life, Friends Life, and Scottish Widows to invest in infrastructure follows changes in European rules pushed for by the UK which incentivise investment in a wider range of assets.The decision by insurers L&G, Prudential, Aviva, Standard Life, Friends Life, and Scottish Widows to invest in infrastructure follows changes in European rules pushed for by the UK which incentivise investment in a wider range of assets.
'Vote of confidence' Prudential has already invested £40bn in UK infrastructure, including property.
Group chief executive Tidjane Thiam said: "As a major long-term investor in the UK, Prudential is pleased to commit to harness our financial strength for the benefit of the UK economy. This initiative will help achieve sustainable economic growth."
Legal & General, which has invested £3bn in the last two years on various infrastructure projects, including university accommodation, said it was keen to spend more on construction.
Chief executive Nigel Wilson said: "We are very keen to help fund the creation of more housing - for sale, for private rent, and in the social sector - as having enough decent housing at sensible prices is crucial to the UK's recovery."‬
'Political will'
In September, CBI director general John Cridland said the government's infrastructure policy was "faltering" amid fears that it lacked the "political will" to deliver.In September, CBI director general John Cridland said the government's infrastructure policy was "faltering" amid fears that it lacked the "political will" to deliver.
Critics have pointed to data showing infrastructure spending falling in recent times, not rising.Critics have pointed to data showing infrastructure spending falling in recent times, not rising.
But in a speech later, Danny Alexander will say: "The announcement today that six major insurers will invest £25bn over the next five years is a massive vote of confidence in the UK economy. Labour said that despite schemes being announced with great fanfare, little was being done.
"It supports the wider £100bn public investment to rebuild Britain over the next seven years that I announced at the Spending Round 2013. Underground, overground, on shore, offshore, wired or wireless, tarmac or train track. You name it, we're building it right now." "The Office for National Statistics says that infrastructure work is down 3.7% in the last year, and fell by 10% in 2012. Scheme after scheme has been announced to great fanfare but then little actually delivered," said Mr Leslie.
'Failure'
However, Labour said that despite schemes being announced with great fanfare, little was being done.
"With the country facing a cost-of-living crisis we need to invest in infrastructure to create jobs, boost living standards, and strengthen our economy for the long-term," said Chris Leslie, shadow chief secretary to the Treasury.
The government's record on infrastructure had been one of "complete failure", he said.
"The Office for National Statistics says that infrastructure work is down 3.7% in the last year, and fell by 10% in 2012.
"Scheme after scheme has been announced to great fanfare but then little actually delivered," he said.
Katja Hall, the CBI's chief policy director, said: "We've been calling for a more focused approach on infrastructure projects and look forward to seeing the fourth National Infrastructure Plan. As ever the devil will be in the detail on timelines and delivery."
She added: "With the majority of national infrastructure projects earmarked to be delivered by the private sector, the insurance industry's £25bn investment is good news."