Backing for a “truly national” charging network for electric vehicles is one of the tests Philip Hammond will be set to demonstrate that the government’s National Infrastructure Strategy is “credible”.
Sir John Armitt, chair of the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC), told an event this morning (Wednesday 1 May) that his body will be writing to the chancellor of the exchequer to set out the tests that the upcoming blueprint must meet.
These tests include supporting a “truly national, visible” charging network for electric vehicles in order to achieve the target of all new car and van sales being electric by 2030 as well as a commitment to devolve funding and powers over local transport to city leaders.
Speaking at an all-party parliamentary group on infrastructure panel discussion at the Institute of Civil Engineers in London, the NIC head urged the government to be “bold” when shaping the new strategy, which is due to be announced this autumn.
Sir John said: “The government’s strategy must send a clear signal that it is serious about giving the UK the world-class infrastructure the economy will need up to 2050.
“They cannot simply fudge it, or just provide a list of what the government’s already doing. With the government’s strategy just months away, now is the time to make your voices heard.”
Referring to the NIC’s own recently published National Infrastructure Assessment, which sets out a string of recommendations, he said: “It has never been more important to join together and plan for our long-term economic future. We hope that ministers will respond directly and positively to the creative vision it sets out and avoid the temptation to rethink its recommendations, or worst of all, offer only warm words.”
Sir John warned against the dangers of decisions on infrastructure being “swayed by the gusts and eddies of political uncertainty” in Westminster politics.
He said: “Short term considerations will always rear their head. Today taking priority over tomorrow, and the urgent always shouting the loudest. We must ensure the rational, considered, researched view is heard.”
But Sir John insisted that major infrastructure projects could help to unit the United Kingdom.
And the government must set out a clear vision for world-class UK infrastructure to improve the economy’s competitiveness post-Brexit, he said: “We need to set a clear direction for what sort of country we need to be. To make a realistic assessment of what we need to do to build a prosperous economy and inclusive society.”
Sir John reiterated the NIC’s challenge to the government to move to “50 per cent of our electricity coming from renewables” by 2030.
“We also want the government to accelerate the shift to electric powered transport,” he said.