Commenting on the Queen’s speech delivered this morning, Institution of Civil Engineers director general Tom Foulkes called for Government to install confidence in industry by providing further clarity around the proposed Green Bank and new planning regime.
He said: “We will need extensive investment in the UK’s infrastructure in the next decade, estimated to be in the realm of £40-50 bn pa with a growing proportion needing to come from private investors, and at this stage ICE is yet to be convinced that the Government’s Green Bank is ambitious enough to meet the challenge. ICE has long campaigned for a secure funding institution to leverage private investment needed to meet the goals outlined in the Queen’s speech, notably, a secure, clean energy supply and improved capacity in our transport system.
“This must be backed up by an efficient planning system that installs confidence in industry by providing a fair and predictable fast-tracked route for key projects. Without having these key institutions in place – a secure mechanism for attracting private funding, an efficient planning system and a method for establishing future infrastructure priorities, currently the aim of the National Planning Statements - this Government will find it hard to attract the private investment necessary to deliver the projects that will underpin the UK’s economic growth and shift to a low carbon economy.”
On specific areas of the Queen’s speech, he said:
STEM
“We already have skills shortages in engineering in the UK – only last week the CBI published a report that showed employers are struggling to recruit workers with STEM skills. It is crucial Government focuses on addressing this by continuing to invest in teaching STEM subjects and participation levels at all levels of the education system. This will be absolutely vital for the engineering professions to deliver the innovative solutions needed in coming years, and in turn for the UK’s global competitiveness.”
Energy security
“The UK’s energy network has long been less than sufficient and requires a revolutionary overhaul if we are to avoid the prospect of lights going out in the future. We must urgently focus on developing affordable, clean and reliable sources of energy urgently, and this will require Government support for a range of solutions, not just one or two ‘winners’. The decisions we make today will be with us for many years, and will directly impact on our future energy security, ability to meet environmental targets, and competivity in global markets. ICE strongly believes nuclear energy, as a proven low carbon solution, must be part of this mix.”
High Speed Rail
“Addressing the severe lack of capacity of our transport networks while also reducing emissions across the board requires that new solutions are powered by low carbon energy supplies. So while ICE supports the Government’s commitment to construct new high-speed rail lines, we would stress that for the project to fulfil its environmental potential, it must be supported by a decarbonised electricity generation sector.”
Climate change
“Climate change is a global problem and we are encouraged by the Government’s commitment to supporting developing countries to have a role in the global negotiations for a consensus on the steps needed to combat it. However we must lead by example, ensuring we are doing everything possible to tackle our current domestic emissions and putting into place solutions to curb them in future. Fast-tracking of proven low carbon energy sources such as nuclear and offshore wind and the supply chains needed to develop them must be prioritized if we have any hope of meeting the new 2020 targets.”
Aviation
“Much of the recent political debate on aviation has been based individual projects, but it is vital we make decisions now on longer term objectives if the UK is to maximise the benefits of air travel within an integrated low-carbon transport system. Now is an excellent time to be evaluating UK aviation policy and we are encouraged by the Government’s commitment set out a new vision for the UK. ICE will be publishing its aviation policy on 13 July and we are ready to facilitate and contribute to a sensible and depoliticised debate on the country’s air transport and airport infrastructure requirements.”