Ahead of her address to the Labour Party’s annual conference in Liverpool, Reeves has vowed to speed up the planning for critically important infrastructure by updating all national policy statements – which set out what types of projects the country needs – within the first six months of a new Labour government.
Reeves said: “If we want to spur investment, restore economic security, and revive growth. Then we must get Britain building again.
“The Tories would have you believe we can’t build anything anymore. In fact, the single biggest obstacle to building infrastructure, to investment and to growth in this country is the Conservative Party itself.
“If the Tories won’t build, if the Tories can’t build, then we will. Taking head on the obstacles presented by our antiquated planning system.
“Since 2012, decision times for national infrastructure have increased by 65 per cent, now taking four years. Labour stands with the builders not the blockers.".
Reeves cited analysis by the engineering consultancy ARUP which calculates that by following best practice infrastructure projects can be delivered 25 per cent cheaper and 20 per cent quicker than now.
Kate Jennings, Director of Policy at Logistics UK, comments: “The logistics sector – which contributes £163 billion to the UK economy each year and underpins every sector within UK PLC – wants to see the delivery of a cohesive national logistics network as part of a clear, long-term infrastructure plan.
“Delivering this requires fundamental reform of the planning system and how the UK decides and delivers its infrastructure needs. This approach would enable more efficient deliveries, aid decarbonisation and give the sector the space to grow, helping the UK to capitalise on an opportunity recently identified by Oxford Economics to boost the economy by up to £7.9 billion per year.
"We look forward to seeing more details on the plans over the coming months.”