The National Infrastructure Commission and the Infrastructure and Projects Authority have officially merged into one as of today
The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) has officially launched today.
The two bodies have been merged to reduce red tape and delays in infrastructure delivery.
The NISTA launch will benefit road, rail, school, and hospital delivery
The two departments have been merged in an attempt to bring together strategy and delivery for infrastructure. This will allow for red tape and other barriers to be overcome more easily.
Infrastructure plans, policy, and low delivery have reduced the rates of infrastructure delivery as well as the rate of investment in programmes and supply chains, causing an inflation in costs.
Last year, the National Infrastructure Commission report on cost drivers in UK construction found that a plan and strategic vision for infrastructure would help to keep costs low. Therefore, along with NISTA, a 10-year infrastructure strategy.
The Teal book has also been launched, a definitive guide for project delivery in government, intended to make delivery of infrastructure more easy to follow in terms of policy.
A three-pronged approach
The NISTA launch is one aspect of three in the government’s approach to streamlining infrastructure delivery. The other two aspects are the 10-year infrastructure strategy, and the refreshed Planning and Infrastructure Bill to bypass blockers to planning permission.
Darren Jones, chief secretary to the treasury, said: “NISTA will get a grip on the delays to infrastructure delivery that for too long have plagued our global reputation with investors. Today we are ushering in a new era for infrastructure delivery, restoring the confidence of businesses to invest and driving a decade of national renewal, powering growth across the country, and delivering on our Plan for Change.”
Sam Gould, the ICE’s director of policy and external affairs said: “The government’s decision to combine the NIC and the IPA in a new body with end-to-end responsibility for infrastructure is a huge opportunity. There’s wide acceptance that the UK needs infrastructure to meet its economic, environmental, and societal ambitions. It has faced recent delivery challenges, and NISTA has an opportunity to bridge the gap between strategic needs and delivering infrastructure that will benefit the public.
“Ahead of the 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy, NISTA has a short window to set out how it is going to approach these tasks. The right expertise to plan and successfully deliver infrastructure existed in the NIC and the IPA, now the focus needs to be on getting the job done.”
Energy UK’s deputy director, policy (systems), Charles Wood: “NISTA’s establishment, alongside the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, offers an opportunity to streamline the strategic delivery of utility infrastructure across the UK. The UK is rapidly moving toward a cleaner energy future, requiring both public and private investment, developed supply chains, skilled workers, and a holistic strategy for delivery. We hope NISTA can support this goal and continue the work of the National Infrastructure Commission, retaining the independent expertise gathered and enabling a more coordinated and cost-effective approach to infrastructure delivery.
“The government must use everything at its disposal to help deliver the energy transition at pace, continuing the coordinated decarbonisation of the power system while increasing a similar effort across the heating, transport, and industrial sectors. This will boost investment in the UK’s clean energy sector, support the connection of new demand like data centres, heat networks, and rapid electric vehicle charging – and enable cost-effective infrastructure that delivers for consumers now and in the future.”
Melanie Leech CBE, chief executive, British Property Federation, said: “While some might have a wry smile at a Government announcement on more efficient project delivery on 1 April, the UK for too long has been plagued by short termism in infrastructure planning, which has saddled us with long term costs. Whether it’s building new communities, installing renewable energy networks, or unlocking vital logistics and industrial capacity, the property industry is fundamental to the UK’s economic future, and we welcome measures that give more certainty to that investment.”
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