We must begin to realise the possibilities of the UK’s infrastructure and construction sector, writes Mike Reader MP.
When infrastructure works as it should, nobody remarks on it.
But when infrastructure fails, people notice. In extreme cases, it affects people's lives or homes.
Infrastructure delivery and maintenance matter to everybody. From well-maintained roads to clean waterways, we all want strong infrastructure systems in place.
In December, I was proud to be re-elected as the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Infrastructure.
The APPG on Infrastructure brings together MPs and peers from across the political spectrum to champion the importance of infrastructure to the government and industry.
2026 is a particularly important year for infrastructure. The government has laid down its strategies, and now it’s time to act on them.
With my fellow officers Lord Gascogine, Baroness Young of Old Scone, and Luke Taylor MP, we bring a wealth of experience from the engineering and construction sectors to Parliament.
We look forward to working with the sector to ensure infrastructure priorities are always on the government’s agenda.
2025 was a bumper year for infrastructure.
We have new guidance, proposals, and a pipeline of projects that are investible and backed by the government.
The 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy, the Planning and Infrastructure Act, and the Industrial Strategy were among some of the big moments of 2025. They’ve provided strategic direction for the sector to act.
The new pipeline developed by the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) provides more certainty for businesses and the public.
However, delivery is key. We must work together to show the public the benefits of good infrastructure.
We must begin to realise the possibilities of the UK’s infrastructure and construction sector.
The government has an ambitious target to build 1.5 million new homes by the end of this Parliament. This won’t happen overnight.
Delivering on this ambition isn’t just about homes, but about the energy, transport links, and services needed to create communities.
This begins with collaboration between the government and the sector, investing in major infrastructure projects, and planning, building, and maintaining infrastructure. It will also require better planning, coordination, and communication with the public.
Most of the infrastructure we rely on in the UK today is decades old. We have a responsibility to give it the same energy and attention as we do new projects.
I was lucky enough in December to host an APPG on Infrastructure event to launch the National Engineering Policy Centre (NEPC) report Reviving our ageing infrastructure.
Looking at the importance of safeguarding essential assets and services, the report shows that proactive investment in maintenance is extremely high value for money.
As chair of the APPG on Infrastructure, I was so pleased to see the report acknowledge the need for action to address the poor condition of the UK’s economic and social infrastructure.
There are always many demands on governments to invest across society. Now, when we’re facing a challenging fiscal situation, is no different.
But investing in maintaining and renewing our existing infrastructure systems isn’t something we can delay.
The question isn’t “if” we spend the money on maintenance: it’s “when” and “how much?”
Only by working together can we fulfil our potential in the infrastructure and construction sector.
The APPG on Infrastructure will continue to work with industry and challenge the government to recognise the importance of infrastructure.
I challenge industry to bring their thoughts and ideas to the ICE and APPG on Infrastructure to ramp up the UK’s ambition. Let’s work together.
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