Subscribe to our Construction Newsfeed
UK Construction Directory
Search our 157,427 companies....

Construction News

16/03/2016

Osbourne Pledges Backing For Major Infrastructure Projects

Construction News Image
Chancellor George Osbourne has pledged financial backing for a number of infrastructure projects across the north and south of England.

In his eighth Budget, Mr Osbourne has granted approval for planning work to continue on major projects such as the £32 billion Crossrail 2 scheme in London and the HS3 link between Manchester and Leeds.

The Government is to release £60m to develop HS3 proposals, cutting journey times to around 30 minutes between Leeds and Manchester, with transport connections also upgraded between other Northern cities.

Development work on Crossrail 2 will also receive £80m.

Over £230m has also been set aside for road improvements in the north of England, including dualling the M62 as well as upgrading the A66 and A69.

In addition, £700m will be provided towards upgrading flood defence schemes in various areas including York, Leeds and across Cumbria.

In his speech, Mr Osbourne said: "Across Britain this Budget invests in infrastructure – from a more resilient train line in the South West, to crossings at Ipswich and Lowestoft in the East – we are making our country stronger.
-- Advertisement --
hss



"To respond to the increasing extreme weather events our country is facing I am today proposing a further substantial increase in flood defences.

"That would not be affordable within existing budgets.

"So I am going to increase the standard rate of Insurance Premium Tax by just half a percentage point – and commit all the extra money we raise to flood defence spending.

"That's a £700 million boost to our resilience and flood defences."

Reacting to the announcements, Ed Cox, director of think tank IPPR North, said: "We welcome the 'green light' that the Chancellor has given to major transport schemes in the North of England but in truth he has only committed to further feasibility studies.

"The announcements will heighten expectations though that government will ultimately commit the fresh billions required to finally see some spades in the ground."

Paul Payne, MD of rail and construction recruitment specialist Oneway, also welcomed the announcements. However, he added more focus needed to be put on upskilling the workforce.

"The announcements made this afternoon are highly encouraging and indicate that the government is set to push for growth by investing in major infrastructure projects which could create thousands of roles across a variety of positions," he said.

"However, this is tempered optimism as both the construction and rail sectors are currently suffering from significant skills shortages and much more needs to be done to ensure we have adequate numbers of professionals ready and able to operate on these projects.

"Factors like the upcoming apprenticeship levy, which comes into play next year, are steps in the right direction, however that's a long term solution. The sector is short of talent right now and governing bodies need to look to either promote skilled trades careers more effectively or find ways of upskilling professionals to be able to operate on key projects like HS3."

(LM/JP)

Latest Construction News

01/07/2025
Construction firm GRAHAM is making strong progress on the University of Manchester's flagship Fallowfield Campus redevelopment, working as part of the Viridis Consortium alongside partners Equitix and Derwent FM. Following the demolition of the iconic Owens Park Tower, the project has now entered i
01/07/2025
Kirklees Council has announced that the West Yorkshire Archive Service (WYAS) will be moving into a new, purpose-built home within Huddersfield's flagship library hub, part of the Our Cultural Heart regeneration scheme. The move marks a major milestone in the preservation and accessibility of the b
01/07/2025
Dalkia UK has officially assumed responsibility for the facilities management services at eight nuclear power stations operated by EDF Nuclear Operations. The newly secured contract includes a wide range of essential services, including mechanical and electrical maintenance, building and grounds up
01/07/2025
Ofgem has provisionally approved a landmark £24 billion investment package to upgrade Britain's energy infrastructure, strengthen energy security, and accelerate the transition to clean power. The initial funding, announced on July 1, is part of a wider £80 billion programme that represents the mo
01/07/2025
Engineering specialist MARCH has been appointed to United Utilities' Monitoring and Control Systems Integration framework, further strengthening its role in supporting vital water infrastructure projects across the North West. The framework, which will initially run for five years with the potentia
01/07/2025
THE GUARDTECH GROUP are gearing up for a golden second half of year with THREE awards showpieces on the calendar. First up, the cleanroom construction experts are finalists for the Large Business of the Year gong at the prestigious Suffolk Business Awards. That event takes place on Thursday 10 Jul
01/07/2025
Leeds College of Building (LCB) has launched a refreshed brand identity and a new website as it celebrates 65 years of delivering specialist education and training in the construction industry. The rebrand follows an 18-month collaboration with branding agency Born Communication, aiming to better r
01/07/2025
Three major projects delivered by Farrans have been named among the UK and Ireland’s best in the shortlist for the 2025 British Construction and Infrastructure Awards. The Gull Wing Bridge in Suffolk, constructed by Farrans on behalf of Suffolk County Council, has been shortlisted in the Best Trans
01/07/2025
Persimmon Homes Wessex and Selwood Housing have formalised a new agreement to deliver additional affordable homes at the Backbridge Farm development in Malmesbury. The two organisations have exchanged contracts on six high-quality homes, which Persimmon will complete and hand over to Selwood Housin
01/07/2025
More than 200 pupils from 14 Manchester schools came together to celebrate their achievements in sustainability and environmental action, as part of the city’s Eco-Schools programme. Teachers and community leaders joined the pupils in Heaton Park to officially recognise the schools that have led t
Lakeside HireStuart CanvasAqua Direct LtdEfco UK LtdSteel ExpressCounty Flat Roofing (UK) LimitedVinco SalesExcel Modular Buildings LimitedWestermans International LtdManchester Skip Company