Full report here: t.co/De4lkMx1T1

6. Darren Jones’ commitment today to publish a 10 yr infra strategy in Spring important, as will be a clear commitment to greater investment at Budget. If major projects are to be delivered by 2030, govt will also need to develop a plan to build construction sector capacity

5. NIC call out planning system - since 2010, time taken to get planning consent for major projects has doubled from 2 to 4 years. They say greater clarity is needed on what standard projects should do to mitigate environmental impacts, as current risk-averse approach is costly

4. And with little evidence of a long-term plan for public investment, the construction sector has reduced its headcount – down 340,000 workers since 2019 (13% of its workforce).

3. As a result, we face much higher costs for the same projects than our international peers. For instance, it has cost Germany – which has a steady programme of rail electrification – 30-60% less than the UK for every KM of track electrified.

2. NIC calls out last govt’s plans to cut investment over next decade as *a signal to industry of a lack of long-term plan*. 📈They say govt needs a long-term pipeline with clear priorities to unlock investment and enable construction sector to build capacity.

6. Says Mission Control needs more data from industry to understand delivery and supply chain risks & work out what solutions needed (including on critical minerals)

5. He admitted before being appointed he’d argued for 2035. Says 2030 has bigger delivery risks but electricity demand will be lower meaning less capacity is needed.

4. Stark says govt’s plan will clearly address trade offs and there is backing from everyone above up to PM to ensure ministers across govt deliver solutions needed - they will be able to clearly set out implications of failing to do so using plan.

3. Govt’s plan will state clear definition for meeting target - says won’t fudge this but there are different options ministers will need to review (might not be %). This will include some unabated gas on the system (though if he’s done his job right it won’t be very active).