How to transform infrastructure decision making in the UK

The UK is in a period of major political and economic change. Concerns about regional inequalities, productivity and the acute housing crisis in the country’s most economically successful areas, Brexit and climate change all loom large.

Delivering high-quality infrastructure in a timely and cost-effective way is crucial to responding to these major national challenges. But the UK consistently makes poor decisions about infrastructure compared with some other wealthy countries.

Over the past year, the Institute for Government has explored how the UK can improve infrastructure policymaking in areas including transport, energy, flood defences, digital communication, waste and water. 

Pulling together the findings of our work, this report identifies how competing needs and perspectives can be balanced to improve three vital aspects of infrastructure policy: time, quality and cost.