The Infrastructure
Forum
The Infrastructure Forum bring together the key players in infrastructure, whether investors, operators, contractors, economic regulators or professional advisors. It has become the meeting place for confidential and constructive discussion about ways to promote the development of infrastructure networks in the UK and to broaden the range of options available to policymakers and regulators.
The expertise of its team, the knowledge and experience of its specialised working groups, and its excellent trusted relationships with public authorities and agencies in the UK and internationally all contribute to its effectiveness.
UPCOMING POLICY DISCUSSIONS
SIR JOHN ARMITT
ANNUAL LECTURE
The Infrastructure Forum inaugurated the Annual Sir John Armitt Lecture in January 2025. The Lecture provided an opportunity for Sir John to address significant issues facing the sector and to set out perspectives on the future of UK infrastructure.
Among the points raised were:
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NISTA's strategy-delivery alignment: Combining the strategic oversight of the NIC with the delivery focus of the IPA is a sensible approach. A stronger emphasis on delivery is critical, while avoiding "knee-jerk" reactions during execution.
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Massive investment needs: Economic infrastructure requires approximately £2 trillion over the next 25 years, with at least 50% expected from the private sector, alongside another trillion for social infrastructure and housing.
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Long-term strategy and delivery timelines: Major infrastructure projects typically take 10-15 years to develop and deliver. A rolling 10-year strategy, with only minor adjustments, is critical to maintaining focus and momentum.
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Spatial and industrial planning: Spatial plans must focus on key areas, supported by an aligned industrial strategy, to maximise the impact of infrastructure investment.
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Role of private investment: Private investment in infrastructure is not new and remains essential. Public-private collaboration must emphasise a shared "moral responsibility" to deliver resilient, reliable, and affordable infrastructure.
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Spatial and industrial planning: Spatial plans must focus on key areas, supported by an aligned industrial strategy, to maximise the impact of infrastructure investment.
RECENT
POLICY DISCUSSIONS
LATEST PUBLICATIONS
BOOSTING LOCAL AND REGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE
DECENTRALISATION WORKING GROUP
The Infrastructure Forum has today released a report arguing that infrastructure projects in the UK should be decentralised with Mayors, local authorities and communities playing a larger part in their planning and financing.
The report was formulated by a working group chaired by Dipesh Shah CBE, Chair of the Ox-Cam Pan-Regional Partnership and draws on insights from a wide range of experts across the sectors.
It states that funding should be devolved from Whitehall, local planning teams and statutory consultees should be boosted, and community benefit packages introduced to bolster support for essential infrastructure renewal.
To tackle the crisis in water the group recommends a major shift in decision-taking to the areas from which the water supply comes. These catchment areas should be able to shape water policy, which should be devolved from national plans to ensure that the outcomes in particular regions are as important in Ofwat’s planning as are current measures of company performance.
