New Infrastructure Pipeline is ‘valuable’ says BCIS chief economist

BCIS has welcomed the arrival of NISTA’s (National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority) Infrastructure Pipeline after its mid-July publication was promised in the 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy.

The full pipeline can now be viewed via an interactive, online platform with users able to filter and download live project information.

Dr David Crosthwaite, chief economist at BCIS, said: ‘Finally, the moment the construction sector and investors have been waiting a year for has arrived.

‘The Infrastructure Pipeline includes project information that can be adjusted by sector, funding source, region and start date and should be valuable assuming that it’s updated regularly. This level of insight could empower businesses to plan resource around potential demand and boost investor confidence.’

More than £530 billion of investment has been planned for 775 projects over the next decade, £285 billion of which will be funded by the public sector⁽¹⁾.

Over 500 energy, transport and water and wastewater projects are to be undertaken with a combined £101 billion earmarked for investment in these sectors by the 2026/27 financial year.

‘It’s encouraging to see £379 billion confirmed for capital projects in the next five years, with £150 billion earmarked for investment for the next financial year. However, longer-term funding that extends beyond the life of the current Parliament is a concern because there’s no guarantee it will materialise,’ Dr Crosthwaite added.

‘As it stands, the pipeline lacks some detail regarding cost profiles but hopefully the information will be forthcoming in subsequent updates.

‘Moving forward, the priority must be clarifying funding mechanisms including private finance initiatives. The pipeline suggests there are more than 140 projects in pre-construction that will be wholly or partially funded by the private sector, so there’s little time for delay.’

At a regional level, 132 projects are planned to take place in the South East.

This is the highest amount of any region in the UK, followed by 88 in the North West and 76 in the South West. By comparison, 39 projects are focused in London.

In June, the government confirmed the pipeline will be updated every six months following its release. The next iteration is expected in early 2026.

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^{(1) GOV.UK – Infrastructure Pipeline kicks off new era of infrastructure delivery  - here}