CBI urges government to firm up energy and transport project delivery plans
The CBI has prioritised infrastructure investment in its Autumn Statement wish list for George Osborne.
The business lobby group has called for the Chancellor of the Exchequer to focus on infrastructure improvements when he publishes his statement next week, which provides an update on the state of the economy and the government’s spending plans.
The CBI wish list includes: a tunnel under Stonehenge to relieve congestion to the South-west; continued momentum on the upgrade of the A14 between Cambridge and Huntingdon; and a final decision on a government guarantee for the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station.
John Cridland, CBI director general, (pictured) said: “We know firms are concerned about the state of our roads and energy supply and affordability, so the arrowhead of business recommendations is a major push on improving the country’s infrastructure. Businesses want to see the Government set out clear project plans, with start dates and timescales.”
The latest CBI/URS Infrastructure Survey, which was published earlier this month, shows that businesses expect transport and energy infrastructure to worsen over the next five years.