The UK’s 10 year Infrastructure Strategy

This strategy is viewed through  a multi-sector lens, marking a significant shift from previous plans. Its integrated, place-based approach could herald more robust infrastructure assets and the timely delivery of regional needs. While investors and developers are optimistic, they’ll closely monitor the progress of the new National Infrastructure Strategy and Transformation Agency (NISTA) which has been mandated with delivering the strategy, leading a more joined-up approach across social and economic infrastructure; we hope providing clearer governance, focus and structure.

What does this mean for the property industry? Potentially aligned infrastructure unlocks sites faster, increases land value, and de-risks development.

Encouraging investment

The Government aims to position the UK as a prime investment destination, emphasising its commitment to making it easier to build and develop at pace and scale with a clear, long-term strategy, including guaranteed infrastructure investment of at least £725 billion over the next decade.

A key aspect of the strategy is higher, long-term public sector investment and – crucially – a renewed focus on the role of private capital in partnering with the Government. Investors will seek confidence in the Government’s long-term aspirations, policy certainty, and solid returns. A new Infrastructure Pipeline Portal should provide prospective investors with clear information on investment opportunities and project progress.

Muti-sector methodology

This is the first time the UK’s set out a long-term strategy that integrates economic infrastructure (transport, energy, water, waste, digital, flood risk management) with housing and social infrastructure (hospitals, schools and colleges, prisons and courts). Some notable investments include:

• Healthcare: £70 billion from 2025-26 to 2029-30 for infrastructure replacement, maintenance, and safety
• Transport: £35.5 billion for rail enhancements from 2026-27 to 2029-30
• Clean Energy: £13.2 billion for the Warm Homes Plan, including heat pumps and low-carbon technologies
• Water and flood resilience: £7.9 billion for water resources, including new reservoirs and transfer schemes
• Digital Infrastructure: £2 billion to expand AI and data research capacity
• Education: £38 billion from 2025-26 to 2029-30 for schools and colleges
• Justice: £6.3 billion for prison expansion from 2025-26 to 2030-31

Infrastructure doesn’t work in isolation; it must be interconnected to boost growth and improve quality of life. For property investors and developers, this means that delivering new schemes depends not just on planning consent, but on whether supporting infrastructure, including roads, energy networks, digital connectivity and schools, are in place.

Spatial approach

NISTA is leading on the Government’s national infrastructure spatial digital tool to strengthen the local evidence base for place-based investment decisions. This platform will bring together strategies, data, and tools to identify local infrastructure needs and constraints. Understanding how different projects will integrate to achieve the objectives of specific locations is critical. Many infrastructure projects are delayed by availability of utilities connections, the planning system, and siloed planning. The shift towards a spatial, place-based approach will enable projects to come forward where and when they’re required to address community needs. Improved co-ordination should bring quicker completions and greater viability.

The future

The Infrastructure Strategy portrays a transformative approach to infrastructure planning and execution. By integrating economic and social infrastructure with a place-based methodology, it aims to address regional needs and prevent delays. Its success will be measured in the delivery of well connected, viable developments that meet the UK’s housing, economic and environmental ambitions.

The scale of Government ambition is admirable and the multi-sector, long-term and joined-up approach is welcomed. The real opportunity for the property industry lies in aligning projects with this vision from site acquisition to planning, funding, and delivery.

Further information

Contact Richard Rees and Nick Green

Unlocking the UK’s economic prospects through development