Industry leaders call for new UK PM to ‘re-commit’ to existing infrastructure plans

Leaders from across the built environment sector have signed an open letter urging aspiring UK prime ministers to stay the course with current infrastructure plans.

It follows the resignation of current Prime Minister Keir Startmer, who last month announced he’ll be stepping down as soon as his replacement is selected.

Addressed to candidates for the role, the open letter emphasised that infrastructure is pivotal to achieving national goals such as economic growth, energy security and climate adaptation.

The country currently has a clear direction for infrastructure from its 10-year strategy and accompanying £725bn pipeline of projects and programmes. This certainty is something that industry and investors have long called for.

But delivery relies on “time, confidence and stability”, as signing bodies highlighted.

As of now, only Andy Burnham, former mayor of Greater Manchester now Makerfield MP, is in the running for the role. If no one else launches a bid, the post could be filled by the middle of the month.

Whatever the result, the UK will be welcoming its seventh prime minister in 10 years.

Political uncertainty undermines progress in the sector, warns the letter, which is why it calls for the new leader to immediately re-commit to existing plans.

“Now is not the time to rip up plans and go back to square one,” it reads.

“The infrastructure systems we build today will still serve society for decades, perhaps even centuries, from now.

“We have the knowledge to deliver the transformational infrastructure the UK needs. What we require now is the political consistency to see it through.”

Read the open letter in full

Why we must stay the course with infrastructure plans

"Infrastructure investment is key to meeting many of the UK’s challenges.

It helps create jobs, connects people to employment and education, boosts regional prosperity, helps enhance our environment, and will improve energy security and affordability. It is also critical that the UK’s infrastructure is adapted for our changing climate.

Investing in social and economic infrastructure also helps grow our economy.

Evidence consistently shows infrastructure investment can deliver strong, long-term benefits that significantly exceed the initial cost. Take the Elizabeth Line – one government estimate said it provided a £42bn boost to the economy, a significant return on the £19bn investment.

But infrastructure relies on many things: time, confidence, and stability.

Ongoing political uncertainty poses a risk to delivery and, soon, we will welcome our seventh prime minister in ten years.

As leaders from across the built environment, we urge the new prime minister to re-commit to current infrastructure plans, and speed up reforms designed to accelerate project delivery.

The 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy, just a year old, gives industry and investors alike the certainty they long asked for.

Alongside the Infrastructure Pipeline, it provides a long-term view of £725bn worth of projects and programmes over the coming decade.

But the real achievement of the strategy is its unifying vision. It offers a clear picture of how to plan, prioritise, and deliver infrastructure that policymakers and industry support.

Now is not the time to rip up plans and go back to square one. The sector will support the incoming government, but we need to stay focused on turning strategy into delivery: executing existing plans, building capacity, and fulfilling planned regulatory reforms.

The infrastructure systems we build today will still serve society for decades, perhaps even centuries, from now.

We have the knowledge to deliver the transformational infrastructure the UK needs. What we require now is the political consistency to see it through."

Signed

Dr Janet Young CBE, director general, Institution of Civil Engineers

Milda Manomaityte, chief executive, Association for Consultancy (ACE Group)

Richard Whitehead, chief executive - Europe and India, AECOM

Heather Polinsky, global CEO, Arcadis NV

Chris Ball, president, United Kingdom and Ireland, AtkinsRealis

Darren James, CEO, Aureos

Philip Hoare, group chief executive, Balfour Beatty

Suzannah Nichol OBE, chief executive, Build UK

Dr Victoria Hills, chief executive, Chartered Institute of Building

Sue Percy CBE, chief executive, Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation

Ben Goodwin, director of policy and public affairs, Civil Engineering Contractors Association

Rain Newton-Smith, CEO, Confederation of British Industry

Alex Vaughan, chief executive officer, Costain

Ed Almond, chief executive and secretary, Institution of Engineering and Technology

Jo Passingham, interim chief executive, Institution of Mechanical Engineers

Richard Sanderson, executive vice president and general manager, Europe and UK, Jacobs

Stuart Togwell, chief executive, Kier Group

Mark Reynolds CBE, executive chairman, Mace Construct and co-chair, Construction Leadership Council

James Harris, executive chair, Mott MacDonald

Neil Sansbury, managing director, Ramboll UK & Ireland

John Wilkinson, COO UK and Ireland, Royal BAM Group

Dr Valerie Vaughan-Dick MBE, chief executive officer, Royal Institute of British Architects

Justin Young, chief executive officer, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

Rachel Fisher, chief executive, Royal Town Planning Institute

Katy Dowding, president and CEO, Skanska UK

Vincent Clancy, chief executive officer, Turner & Townsend

Paul Reilly, president and managing director, WSP UK&I