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UK Infrastructure 10-year Strategy 2025-06-19
19 June 2025
Lead MP
Darren Jones
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
TaxationHousing
Other Contributors: 38
At a Glance
Darren Jones raised concerns about uk infrastructure 10-year strategy 2025-06-19 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
When this Government came to power, we were elected on a promise to deliver a decade of national renewal. We have already seen results with the fastest growing economy in G7 and real wages rising more than under the Conservatives. The strategy aims to invest £120 billion over the course of this Parliament in road and rail projects including upgrades to the trans-Pennine route, midlands rail hub, and new Welsh rail projects. Additionally, there is a commitment to nuclear power and affordable housing with significant investment into social and affordable housing as well as carbon capture projects.
Richard Fuller
Con
North Bedfordshire
Acknowledged the positive impact of investing in public infrastructure but questioned the lack of detail provided by the Chief Secretary. Asked for a commitment to publish a project pipeline and inquired about how many projects from the previous Conservative Government's pipeline will be retained or abandoned.
Darren Jones
Lab
Bristol North West
Asked questions about the impact of increased national insurance and new employment regulations on the construction sector, raised concerns about skills pinch points, inquired about changes in investment mix between private and public sectors, questioned the use of the National Wealth Fund, discussed technology obsolescence risk, inquired about pension mandates for financing capital investments, raised concerns about value for money according to revised Green Book rules, and asked about measures to protect budgets under financial pressures.
Madam Deputy Speaker
Ms Nusrat Ghani
Acknowledged the past membership of the Business Select Committee with former MPs, facilitated questions and responses between MPs.
John Grady
Lab
Glasgow East
Welcomed the focus on housing and transport infrastructure investment, inquired about value for money measures, asked about HS2 mismanagement, and sought assurance regarding the Arran ferry scandal.
Sarah Olney
LD
Richmond Park
Called for scrutiny of the 10-year infrastructure plan, criticised previous Conservative Government's management of HS2, questioned delegated funding from the structures fund, proposed a broader skills and training levy to replace the apprenticeship levy.
Darren Jones
Con
The Chief Secretary to the Treasury emphasised the commitment to maintenance of public infrastructure, despite it not being sexy or good for election leaflets. He committed billions to addressing an enormous backlog and mentioned NISTA will coordinate across Government to prioritise maintenance. The minister also defended his approach to funding development earlier with proper oversight.
Lola McEvoy
Lab
Darlington
Ms McEvoy thanked the Chief Secretary for the strategy, which improves lives and incomes in her constituency. She asked for more detail on the ambition for a place-based approach, Green Book reforms and pilots.
Saqib Bhatti
Con
Meriden and Solihull East
Mr Bhatti inquired about the Midlands rail hub project and sought details of how much money has been committed to it.
Stella Creasy
Lab/Co-op
Walthamstow
Ms Creasy welcomed the investment strategy but raised concerns about the legacy of private finance initiative. She asked if the Chief Secretary would meet her and others keen on learning lessons from PFI to avoid future issues.
Jerome Mayhew
Con
Broadland and Fakenham
Mr Mayhew agreed with Ms Creasy but questioned the confidence in the current Government's ability to negotiate contracts effectively, referencing past failures.
Luke Murphy
Lab
Basingstoke
Mr Murphy welcomed the Chief Secretary’s statement about record investment in social and affordable housing. He asked if this strategy will turn around previous poor performance in business investment under the last Government.
Tim Farron
LD
Westmorland and Lonsdale
Mr Farron welcomed comments on maintenance but sought assurances that local communities would be supported during a large motorway maintenance project affecting the M6 at Lune Gorge.
Luke Charters
Lab
York Outer
Mr Charters asked about the £9 billion maintenance fund and how York's public buildings will benefit from it, highlighting previous failures under the Conservatives to address maintenance issues.
John Cooper
Con
Dumfries and Galloway
Mr Cooper raised concerns that the new authority announced would have little oversight in Scotland due to the Barnett formula. He asked about potential funding for the A75 road, a piece of critical national infrastructure.
Gregor Poynton
Lab
Livingston
Mr Poynton welcomed the UK Government’s bold 10-year infrastructure plan and suggested that the Scottish National Party Government could learn from the UK Government in addressing Scotland's housing emergency.
Dave Doogan
SNP
Angus and Perthshire Glens
Mr Doogan criticised the statement as denying reality, highlighting challenging cuts off the backs of the poorest and questioning the necessity of spending on the House of Lords while infrastructure projects face delays.
Gavin Newlands
SNP
Paisley and Renfrewshire North
Criticised the UK government for neglecting Scotland in the Chancellor's spending review, infrastructure working paper, and today's statement. Asked about private finance initiative projects and questioned why the Welsh Government is engaged while the SNP Scottish Government is not.
Darren Jones
Lab
Bristol North West
Responded to questions from Gavin Newlands by mentioning large real-term funding increases since devolution, a supercomputer in Edinburgh, development for Acorn and carbon capture usage storage. He also highlighted defence spending including on Clyde.
Terry Jermy
Lab
South West Norfolk
Welcomed the statement and pointed out years of neglect affecting infrastructure investment in east England. Called upon the Chief Secretary to look at Ely junction project for economic growth, highlighting a £1 return on every £5 invested.
Lisa Smart
LD
Hazel Grove
Welcomed the Treasury reviewing Green Book to prevent regional inequalities and asked about the Stepping Hill hospital repair backlog of £138 million. Inquired about how place-based business case pilots will be reviewed.
Louise Jones
Lab
North East Derbyshire
Suggested North East Derbyshire as a suitable location for a place-based business case pilot, citing its unique mix of urban, rural and semi-rural communities. Highlighted the importance of creating functioning places with relevant public service infrastructure.
Claire Young
LD
Thornbury and Yate
Asked about funding distribution fairness for regions like the West of England that have been overlooked in the past, specifically mentioning upgrading junctions 16 and 17 on M5, fixing original Severn bridge, and upgrading Westerleigh rail junction.
Lorraine Beavers
Lab
Blackpool North and Fleetwood
Encouraged by the Minister's statement for rebuilding Britain from Conservative mess. Inquired about how constituencies like hers can take advantage of new place-based business case under Green Book strategy.
Adrian Ramsay
Green
Waveney Valley
Welcomed Government’s investment in flood defences and questioned if climate resilience and preparedness will be put on statutory footing, requiring major infrastructure providers to carry out climate risk assessments for safety.
Lauren Sullivan
Lab
Gravesham
Welcomed the Green Book review of co-ordination in joined-up infrastructure thinking. Asked if Gravesham could be a pilot for place-based study to help with affordable homes in the context of major infrastructure projects like the lower Thames crossing.
Tom Gordon
LD
Harrogate and Knaresborough
Agreed with Labour Mayor for York and North Yorkshire that spending review announcements fall short. Proposed dualling and electrifying the line between Leeds and York via Harrogate to unlock growth in part of Yorkshire.
Jim Dickson
Lab
Dartford
Welcomed statement and national infrastructure strategy after dithering delay by previous government. Highlighted that investing in infrastructure sets foundation for growth across the whole country, benefiting north Kent with jobs, reduced congestion, business opportunities, enhanced connectivity.
Ann Davies
PC
Caerfyrddin
Noted lack of mention of rural areas and decades-long loss in infrastructure investment affecting Welsh rural communities. Asked about prioritising disadvantaged rural areas in Wales.
Alan Gemmell
Lab
Central Ayrshire
The hon. Member criticises the Conservative approach to investment, arguing it is fundamentally different from previous failures leading to crumbling infrastructure and profligate waste of public money in Scotland.
Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe
The hon. Member argues that Wales has been cheated out of billions of pounds due to misclassification of several projects as England and Wales projects, highlighting the need for investment outside central areas.
Kirsteen Sullivan
Lab/Co-op
Bathgate and Linlithgow
The hon. Member urges the Minister to encourage his counterparts in Scotland to invest in infrastructure such as Winchburgh train station which has not been delivered despite years of promises.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
The hon. Member questions whether the 10-year strategy incorporates enhancing connectivity throughout the UK, specifically mentioning flights between Belfast and other major cities becoming more costly.
Scott Arthur
Lab
Edinburgh South West
As a civil engineer, the hon. Member welcomes the long-term plan but criticises the lack of delivery on projects such as Sheriffhall roundabout in Edinburgh and asks about universities' role in developing skills.
Tom Hayes
Lab
Bournemouth East
The hon. Member highlights investment needs for Bournemouth and Dorset, mentioning £1.6 million going into a college and £500 million into NHS buildings, urging the Minister to meet him to consider further investment opportunities.
Chris Vince
Lab/Co-op
Harlow
The hon. Member lobbies for future investment in Harlow regarding the UK Health Security Agency and maintenance of hospitals under the new infrastructure approach.
Amanda Martin
Lab
Portsmouth North
The hon. Member welcomes the statement, criticising previous Government's lack of investment and urging how this Government’s plans will deliver for Portsmouth following their decimation of shipbuilding.
Chris Curtis
Lab
Milton Keynes North
The hon. Member seeks clarification on how the new strategy will support infrastructure in growing cities, such as GP surgeries and hospitals needed to support new homes.
Ben Goldsborough
Lab
South Norfolk
The hon. Member highlights immediate effects of the long-term plan in South Norfolk with investments like £200 million for Thickthorn junction and upgrades to GP practices, advocating for future investment in Norwich Research Park.
Government Response
Addressed questions regarding detailed spending allocations between Departments, role of private capital, Green Book application, differences from previous Conservative Government, reassured value for money measures including the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority, committed to delivering better discipline in project delivery. The Chief Secretary to the Treasury defended his approach by emphasising that previous Governments promised things without money, whereas this Government is promising with actual funding. He mentioned using private capital only in specific use cases and consulting on details transparently. The Minister defends Labour's approach to infrastructure spending, highlighting significant money coming to all parts of the country. He details increased day-to-day and capital spending and mentions specific investments in Wales and Portsmouth. He commits to long-term stability and investment across the UK.
Shadow Response
Richard Fuller
Shadow Response
Asked for more detail on the project pipeline, questioned how many of the 660 projects from the previous Conservative Government's pipeline will be retained or abandoned and asked for insight into the reasoning behind any changes.
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