THE MEETING PLACE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE
WORKING GROUPS
One of the most effective means by which The Infrastructure Forum develops constructive ideas for the future of the sector is through its Working Groups. These have been established in several policy areas, chaired by authoritative figures in the sector, allowing participants in the Forum to put forward constructive ideas and proposals on a range of detailed issues important to the health of infrastructure in the UK.
INVESTMENT
The Forum’s Investment Working Group has played a pivotal role in advocating for Regulated Asset Base (RAB) approaches for projects such as new nuclear, leading to the adoption of the concept. The group collaborates with the government to help reduce barriers to private sector investment and is chaired by Mike Gerrard, Chair of INPP
TAXATION
The Infrastructure Forum’s Taxation Working Group boasts a strong track record of success. It was instrumental in the creation of the highly popular super-deduction and subsequently recommended the permanent 100% full-expensing regime for capital investment. The Group is chaired by Andrew Cox, Partner at Deloitte.
PLANNING
The Planning Working Group was established to provide the government with innovative ideas to improve how nationally significant infrastructure projects are handled within the planning system. Several of its proposals have been incorporated into policy, and the Group engages directly with senior government officials. It is chaired by Robbie Owen, Partner at Pinsent Masons.
ENERGY
The Energy Working Group focuses on strategies for achieving the UK’s 2030 and 2050 decarbonisation targets, as well as financing the transition to clean energy. Recent efforts have also centered on the future of nuclear power and carbon capture and storage (CCS) networks. The Group is chaired by Paul Spence, former Director of Strategy and Corporate Affairs at EDF Energy. CCS work is chaired by Paul Davies, Director of 7CO2: The Severnside Carbon Capture and Shipping Hub
DECENTRALISATION
The Decentralisation Working Group explores how infrastructure projects in the UK could be more locally driven, with a greater role for mayors, local authorities, and communities in planning and financing. This Group is chaired by Dipesh Shah CBE, Chair of the Ox-Cam Pan-Regional Partnership.
AD-HOC WORK
In addition, special ad-hoc groups are set up to help the government in particular areas. Recently, The Infrastructure Forum set up groups to examine possible approaches for the Government's new Industrial Strategy and 10 year infrastructure strategy, with input from Sir Alex Chisholm KCB.