Recognition by the Government that infrastructure is a catalyst for growth, jobs and better social outcomes is reassuring during these challenging times. The announcement of the £4bn levelling up fund focused on projects that will have real impact is very welcome and we applaud the role local communities will have in deciding priorities. We have consistently championed the need to demonstrate the worthiness of infrastructure projects by determining their wider economic, social and environmental benefits, and we wholeheartedly support the government’s pledge to include it in the decision-making process.
The changes to the Green Book underline what practitioners have been saying – that there is no need for wholesale change and we look forward to seeing how further guidance will support the government's objectives and whether wider definition of value can be delivered on.
Alongside the 10-point plan for a green industrial revolution, today’s announcement continues to lay down some ambitious pledges to kickstart a green economic recovery and we’re eager to see this happen to help us reach our net zero emissions targets by 2050.
Cathy Travers, UK and Europe regional business managing director