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Policy

ICE Discussion Paper: Potential implications of the nationalisation of infrastructure

Date
14 November 2018

Key points include:

  • Ultimately, whether services are in public or private ownership, a long-term approach to asset management and investment is needed, supported by sensible regulation, good governance and accountability in order to ensure best value for consumers.
  • Public support for nationalisation as a binary concept is high, but more needs to be done to close the information deficit about the tangible benefits private investment delivers.
  • Nationalisation of rail would have marginal short-term impacts, but in the longer-term an integrated network could improve decision-making and efficiency.
  • At present, the water and energy sectors are funded almost wholly by private investment. There is a real risk that outright nationalisation would see investors move their capital elsewhere, with the public sector then needing to meet the investment requirements for much-needed infrastructure improvements.

ICE Discussion Paper: Potential implications of the nationalisation of infrastructure

Content type: Policy

Last updated: 2018

Authors: ICE

  • David Hawkes, head of policy at ICE