Industry today welcomed the launch of the government’s 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy – but said the private sector would have a critical part to play in ensure its success.

The comprehensive blueprint is designed to modernise the nation’s core economic infrastructure such as transport, energy, water and digital networks, and importantly social infrastructure.  

It sets out a decade-long programme of investment underpinned by funding pipelines and an emphasis on outcomes, innovation and sustainability.

ACE Group, which comprises the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) and the Environmental Industries Commission (EIC), said a vital part of the strategy outlines a vision for leveraging private capital and capability through public-private delivery models, which will be crucial for delivery.

ACE Group chief executive Kate Jennings said: “This strategy marks a step change in how the country plans, funds and delivers the infrastructure critical to our future success. The industry now has an element of certainty and will soon have a pipeline of investable projects. The consultancy and engineering sector stands ready to deliver — drawing on both domestic talent and world-class global capability. 

“ACE Group members, many of which lead complex infrastructure programmes from Toronto to Tokyo, are best placed to help realise the strategy’s goals. SMEs are often at the forefront of delivery which will require the agile expert engineering resources and innovation offered by British SMES. Our members have a track record in delivering large-scale, complex infrastructure through innovative approaches such as alliancing, outcome-based contracting, and digital-first project management.  

“From pioneering digital twins to decarbonising infrastructure at scale, UK engineering consultancies are already exporting best-in-class thinking around the world. If we want the private sector to step up, we need to create the right conditions: certainty, continuity, and collaboration. This strategy is a strong start to achieving exactly that and strong private sector involvement will be mission critical.” 

As the government looks to establish delivery pathways over the coming months, ACE Group said it will continue to work with ministers, NISTA and the industry to help shape a delivery framework that combines public leadership with private excellence. 

Others across the infrastructure sector have also welcomed today’s news.

Richard Risdon, executive board director and regional managing director for UK and Europe at Mott MacDonald, added: “The confirmed plans for significant investment across a wide range of sectors is most certainly welcome. I have always been clear that the private sector will need to play an increasingly involved role in major projects. However, the industry must demonstrate confidence in its ability to deliver on the plan to attract the investment needed for the strategy to be successful too”. 

Rachel Skinner, UK director of government relations and corporate ESG at WSP, said: "The ambition and direction of travel set out in the UK’s 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy is exactly what we need—a move towards clear, contextual planning that reflects the realities of place and sector.

“Finding ways to embed new private sector investment alongside stable Government funding commitments will be key to the decade ahead, as will a far stronger emphasis on the creation of more resilient, reliable and low-carbon infrastructure systems. Unless our built and natural systems are ready to cope with the reality of increasing weather extremes, the UK's pathway to sustainable, inclusive growth is fundamentally at risk.

“Every disruption - from transport to digital to water - affects real people, communities and businesses. We are strongly supportive of a bold, joined-up approach that unites infrastructure, industrial strategy, sustainable outcomes and spatial planning.” 

Neil Sansbury, managing director UK and Ireland at Ramboll, said: “We welcome the government’s infrastructure plan and the £725bn commitment to infrastructure projects across the UK over the next decade. This plan represents a bold attempt to reverse decades of underinvestment, drive growth, and future-proof the UK’s infrastructure, providing the sector with the confidence and certainty to invest in jobs and skills.

“The success of these plans will depend on effective delivery, cross-party support, policy stability and the ability to adapt to economic and environmental challenges. It's also important to have the right workforce in place to deliver it.

“The record £1.2bn investment for training skills last week is a really positive signal and today’s announcement gives us clarity on the detail of how this will be applied. It’s good to see the government is taking a joined-up approach to its thinking.”

Alex Vaughan, CEO at Costain, said: “The launch of the UK’s 10-year Infrastructure Strategy marks a crucial step towards ending the short-termism that has held our sector back.

“It offers the long-term certainty the industry needs to drive both the predictability and productivity of delivery, and to invest in the skills needed to build the infrastructure of tomorrow. What we would like to see now is a cabinet-level Minister for Infrastructure to champion delivery and keep the strategy on course. Infrastructure isn’t optional, it’s the foundation of creating a sustainable future, and a more prosperous, resilient and decarbonised UK.”

Nancy MacDonald, Stantec’s regional business lead for infrastructure UK&I, said: “Today’s announcement reinforces the government’s view that modern and sustainable infrastructure is essential for growth.  This longer-term outlook should help provide the clarity that industry has been looking for, boost private sector confidence, and help the UK to both strengthen the foundations of our economy while also building upwards.

"Coupled with recent commitments across transport, energy and housing, the government has thrown down the gauntlet in the shape of £725bn over the next decade.  With the pipeline of projects due to be published next month, it is the private sector’s responsibility to capitalise on this opportunity, drive further investment and get on with the task at hand. 

“The strategy rightly recognises that boosting regional resilience is fundamental - and the importance of nature-based solutions as part of that.  For example, much-needed investment in flood defences will help protect communities across the country from a changing climate.  While big ticket flagship projects will grab headlines, a sustained focus on asset management and renewal of existing resources is critical too.

“In a time of geopolitical uncertainty and a rapidly changing economy, the industry also needs space to innovate and adapt.  Like any strategy, the success of this one should be judged by what it creates rather than what it constrains.”