Budget demonstrates role of devolution and infrastructure investment on growth

Devolution, transport and energy: key infrastructure measures in the Autumn Statement 2026

Today’s Autumn Statement announcement from the chancellor John Healey has underlined the government’s commitment to devolution and clean energy with policies to support place-based investment and drive down bills while increasing energy security. 

In response to the speech, Mott MacDonald Group strategy director and regional managing director for UK and Europe Richard Risdon said: “Today’s Budget reinforces the central role infrastructure will play in the UK’s economic growth and resilience. From clean energy and housing to increased defence investment and the expanded role of the National Wealth Fund, there is a clear focus on mobilising investment in infrastructure and industries the UK will need for the future. 

“What matters now is creating the conditions to turn those ambitions into investable, deliverable projects, with greater certainty for the organisations being asked to plan, finance and deliver them. 

“Giving mayors greater control over funding creates a real opportunity to join those decisions up, matching investment and skills more closely to what individual places need.” 

Mott MacDonald managing director for buildings in UK and Europe Mark Ewen added more detail on the greater regional investment opportunities announced: “The government’s commitment to the devolution agenda in the Budget is a significant step towards unlocking growth, enabling regional authorities to take a more strategic, long-term approach to investment.  

“Local leaders need the certainty and capacity to build credible investment pipelines and bring forward projects that reflect the priorities of their places. The real opportunity is to connect decisions around infrastructure, housing and regeneration rather than treating them in isolation, turning greater local control into meaningful, lasting change.” 
 
Focus on the transport aspect of the Green Book was seen as a positive announcement by Mott MacDonald managing director for transport in UK and Europe Tony O'Toole. He said: “Today’s Budget is good news for people who rely on our transport networks and for regions looking to unlock growth. Greater local control over investment can help places make the connections between transport, housing and regeneration, and create the conditions for businesses and communities to thrive. 

“The Green Book reforms and devolution package should strengthen that place-based approach, recognising that the value of transport investment extends well beyond the transport network itself. The projects highlighted today, from the Black Country Metro extension and Bakerloo line extension to investment in Cardiff Parkway station, show how better connectivity can support wider economic and regional ambitions. The priority now must be to build on that momentum and give places the confidence to plan and deliver for the long term.” 

Reacting to the energy announcements, Mott MacDonald global energy market leader Claudio Tassistro said: “The latest investment in renewable energy is good news and the new Energy Wealth Fund provides another mechanism to support the UK’s transition. But we can’t lose sight of the bigger picture. We’re talking about an energy transition, not an energy moment and sustained investment across a diverse mix of technologies and power sources will be essential to building an energy system that is secure, affordable and supports economic growth. 

“The focus on projects that can lower bills and connect to the grid is important because generation is only part of the equation. We also need the networks and connections that allow new sources of power to come online. Diversity in power supply, backed by the infrastructure needed to support it, is what energy security looks like in practice.”