What is the UK’s 10-year infrastructure strategy?

On 19 June, the government published its 10-year infrastructure strategy, a key element of the Plan for Change aimed at transforming infrastructure planning and execution. This strategy is viewed through a multi-sector lens, marking a significant shift from previous plans.

Its integrated, place-based approach could herald more robust infrastructure assets and the timely delivery of regional needs. While investors and developers are optimistic, they will closely monitor the progress of the newly established National Infrastructure Strategy and Transformation Agency which has been mandated with the delivery of the strategy over the next decade and to lead a more joined-up approach across social and economic infrastructure, we hope providing clearer governance, focus and structure.

But what does this mean in practice? For the property industry, the impacts are significant: aligned infrastructure unlocks sites faster, increases land value and de-risks development, if the government delivers on this strategy.

The government aims to position the UK as a prime destination for investment, emphasising its commitment to making it easier to build and develop with a clear, long-term strategy. Embedded within the plan is the government’s aim to rebuild investor confidence and enhance the UK’s international reputation as the leading place for investment. The strategy includes a guaranteed investment of at least £725 billion in infrastructure over the next decade and it must ensure that the strategy delivers at pace and at scale.

A key aspect of the strategy is higher, long-term public sector capital investment and a renewed focus on the role of private capital in partnering with the government. Attracting private investment is crucial, and investors will seek confidence in the government’s long-term aspirations, policy certainty, and a solid rate of return.

The newly planned Infrastructure Pipeline Portal will play a pivotal role in moving the sector into the digital era, by providing prospective investors with a single source of clear and consistent information on investment opportunities and project progress.

This is the first time the UK has set out a long-term strategy that integrates economic infrastructure (transport, energy, water and wastewater, waste, digital and flood risk management) with housing and social infrastructure (hospitals, schools and colleges, prisons and courts). Some of the notable investments include:

• Healthcare: £70 billion from 2025-26 to 2029-30 for infrastructure replacement, maintenance, and safety
  
• Transport: £35.5 billion for rail enhancements from 2026-27 to 2029-30
  
• Clean energy: £13.2 billion for the Warm Homes Plan, including heat pumps and low-carbon technologies
  
• Water and flood resilience: £7.9 billion for water resources, including new reservoirs and transfer schemes
  
• Digital infrastructure: £2 billion to expand AI and data research capacity
  
• Education: £38 billion from 2025-26 to 2029-30 for schools and colleges
  
• Justice: £6.3 billion for prison expansion from 2025-26 to 2030-31

Infrastructure does not work in isolation; it must be interconnected to boost growth and to play a vital role in improving the quality of life. For property investors and developers, this means that delivery of new schemes depends not just on planning consent, but on whether supporting infrastructure such as roads, energy networks, digital connectivity and schools are in place and efficient.

NISTA is leading the development of the government’s national infrastructure spatial digital tool to strengthen the local evidence base for place-based infrastructure investment decisions. This digital platform will bring together strategies, data and tools to identify local infrastructure needs and constraints. Understanding how different projects will integrate to achieve the objectives of specific locations will be critical.

So many infrastructure projects are caught up in delays caused by availability of utilities connections, in particular the electricity grid, and the planning system. The shift toward a spatial, place-based approach will enable decisions and projects to come forward where and when they are required to effectively address the evolving needs of communities.

This is particularly pertinent for our industry, where utility connection delays and siloed infrastructure planning are among the most common causes of stalled delivery. Improved co-ordination offers a route to quicker completions and greater viability.

The 10-year infrastructure strategy portrays a transformative approach to infrastructure planning and execution. By integrating economic and social infrastructure with a place-based methodology, it aims to address regional needs and prevent delays. Its success will be measured not just in roads built or schools expanded, but in the delivery of well-connected, viable developments that meet the UK’s housing, economic and environmental ambitions.

The scale of the ambition being put forward by the Government is admirable and the multi-sector, long-term and joined-up approach is to be welcomed. The real opportunity for the property industry lies in aligning projects with this vision from site acquisition to planning, funding, and delivery. The challenge will lie in the delivery and we look forward to working with our clients to realise the ambitions set out by government.

Richard Rees, managing director, Savills UK