ICE Next Steps programme: what are the pinch points to delivering the UK’s infrastructure ambitions?

The UK government has ambitious plans for infrastructure investment to drive economic growth, regional rebalancing and the net zero transition.

It’s recent £725 billion 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy marks a shift from a planning phase to a delivery one.

But its success will depend on how well the UK’s infrastructure ecosystem can respond.

A new ICE programme will explore the remaining pinch points that could hold up delivery, and the policy options that could help address them.

The ICE wants to hear from infrastructure professionals and other experts and interested stakeholders on the following questions:

1. How can the resilience of UK infrastructure supply chains be improved?
2. How can the UK’s reliance on imported construction materials be reduced while supporting sustainability goals?
3. How can the UK develop (a) a sustainable pipeline of skilled labour and (b) the leadership talent pool required to deliver future infrastructure?
4. What else does the government need to do to attract private finance now the 10-year infrastructure strategy and pipeline are in place?
5. What mechanisms could improve access to long-term, affordable finance for infrastructure projects across all regions?
6. How can planning, consenting and regulatory reform be streamlined without compromising public trust and wider environmental, safety and other concerns?
7. How effective will the Modern Industrial Strategy be at addressing these pinch points and improving infrastructure delivery?

To respond please contact [email protected] by 5 December 2025.

You can also sign up for our Next Steps panel debate on 15 October.