Labour’s plans draw on the concept of the mission economy. Popularised by economist Professor Maria Mazzucato, the mission-led approach favours a longer-term approach over short-term fixes. With the UK’s infrastructure system set to undergo major policy changes, longer-term strategic direction is more necessary than ever to provide professionals and the public with the certainty they need.

Merging strategy and delivery

Mentioned in the detail of the chancellor’s July statement on the new government’s public spending inheritance, it was confirmed that the government intends to merge the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) and Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) into a “new, powerful” body. This new body – the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority – would “better support the delivery of major capital projects”.

The IPA supports the delivery of major infrastructure in the UK. The NIC, meanwhile, provides advice on the government’s infrastructure priorities and progress. The Treasury oversees both, although NIC sits as an independent body. Merging the two will consolidate responsibility for strategic infrastructure planning and delivery into a single body at the heart of government.

Planning reform is unlikely to happen without a fight

Accelerating planning

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill will speed up infrastructure delivery and make the planning system “an enabler of growth”. Planning reform is central to the new government’s ambitions, particularly its plans to decarbonise the grid and scale up housebuilding.

The bill will enable new or updated National Policy Statements to come forward, establishing a review process to update them every five years. This is welcome, as the ICE has previously called for more regular updates.

Devolution continues

UK governments have extended devolution to English regions in recent years, and the English Devolution Bill represents a continuation of that work. This new legislation promises to address the “inconsistent, deal-based and patchwork approach” to devolution. This includes allowing local leaders to formally request more powers over strategic planning, local transport networks, skills and employment support.

Labour’s manifesto included a commitment to introduce multi-year funding settlements for councils, marking an end to competitive bidding for funding, although this doesn’t appear to be in the bill.

What next?

The new government is moving quickly to enact its manifesto pledges and deliver change. With a working majority of 180 MPs, the agenda has few parliamentary hurdles to overcome but planning reform is unlikely to happen without a fight.

The NIC has stated that failure to speed up delivery in the next five years could hold back economic growth and threaten carbon emission reduction targets. While we await more detail from the bills outlined in the King’s Speech, it is nonetheless encouraging to see the scope and ambition of plans for energy, transport, devolution and planning reform. The ICE has been calling for clear plans in these areas for some time.

It’s also encouraging to see a three year spending review confirmed, giving government departments and the private sector greater certainty.

This is the last parliament that will have the chance to meaningfully influence the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Now is the time to pick up the pace and deliveran infrastructure system that can meet the UK’s economic, social and environmental targets.

• Send Lighthouse comments to policy@ice.org.uk

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