3 infrastructure takeaways from Reform UK's 2024 election manifesto

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage launched the party’s 2024 general election manifesto on 17 June 2024.

Here are three key takeaways from the party’s plans for infrastructure.

Net zero and energy security

Reform UK would abandon the UK’s net zero target and related policies.

This would include scrapping existing subsidies for renewable energy and replacing them with equivalent taxes.

Measures it’s proposing to meet the UK’s energy needs include:

• start fast-tracking licences for gas and oil exploration in the North Sea.
• allowing the extraction of shale gas (a form of natural gas found underground in a type of rock called shale) on test sites for two years, with a view to enabling major production if it’s shown to be safe.
• fast-tracking new nuclear energy through building new small modular reactors.

The party would also aim to increase energy supply from combined cycle gas turbines, synthetic fuels and tidal power and by exploring clean coal mining.

It says it would lower fuel duty by 20p per litre for residential and business users, and scrap VAT on energy bills.

The ICE has explored public perceptions of specific green levies and charges in a recent paper on public behaviour changes and net zero.

Transport

Reform UK says it would cancel the rest of High Speed 2.

The party would scrap future bans on the sale of petrol and diesel cars and requirements for manufacturers to sell electric cars.

It would also ban Ultra Low Emissions Zones (ULEZ) and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs).

The party claims it will improve existing rail and road links, while accelerating transport infrastructure projects in coastal regeneration areas, Wales, the North, and the Midlands.

The ICE has previously set out the case for a national transport strategy.

Infrastructure planning and funding

Reform UK would set up a new ownership model for the UK’s critical national infrastructure.

It says it would bring 50% of each utility into public ownership, with the other 50% owned by UK pension funds.

The party also wants to create a single government infrastructure funding stream.

And it says it would merge the National Infrastructure Commission and the UK Infrastructure Bank.

It also wants to reform planning to fast track new housing on brownfield sites.

It would use a ‘loose-fit planning’ policy, with preapproved guidelines and developer requirements, for large residential developments.

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