The Economist refers to Infrastructure as, “Economic arteries and veins; roads, ports, railways, airports, power lines, pipes and wires that enable people, goods, commodities, water, energy and information to move about efficiently”.
Infrastructure refers to the organisation of structure and facilities, which are required for day to day activities to operate accordingly. Infrastructure encompasses many integral elements of an urban landscape.
High quality infrastructure protects businesses, workers and communities from an unpredictable natural environment. This means that almost every aspect of the economy is able to run more efficiently, therefore improving productivity and increasing the levels of living standards.
Infrastructure improvements are funded differently in each sector. Infrastructure projects relating to energy, water, natural gas, sewage and sanitation are almost entirely privately funded. However, transport and not-for-profit organisations are funded publicly or by a mixture of both.
Key Examples of Infrastructure Include:
- Transport Systems: Railway Stations, Bus Stations etc
- Communication Networks: Cellular Networks etc
- Sewage
- Water
- Electrical Systems
Current UK Infrastructure Public Policy Approach
Did you know that the UK was placed at number 11 out of a huge 141 countries in terms of the quality of infrastructure? Despite being high ranked, it is recognised that UK hasn’t invested enough government grants and funding into its infrastructure or time into its public policy approach, and that the overall placement of key maintenance could be better.
The countries which ranked higher than the UK had spent a significantly higher amount of infrastructure, despite evidence of a lower economic growth. If the quality of infrastructure was to decrease any further, this would equal a low standard of living and high chance of poverty, which of course leads to devastating further effects such as the possible loss of wild life and human life.
Government Agenda & Government Grants For UK Infrastructure
Back in 2019, the UK government promised to level up the UK’s infrastructure with a number of government grants in hope that it will increase country’s economic growth after the pandemic and to potentially combat the downfalls caused by global warming.
The UK’s infrastructure spend was at an all-time high back in the 1970’s, this is due to the higher amount of industries that were owned by the public and needed government grants. It is the primary aim of the government to increase infrastructure spending to this level once again, to potentially create an “infrastructure revolution“.
Although funding is an incredibly important aspect of improving the overall infrastructure of the UK, this isn’t the only way that the government can contribute. It also directs time and investment to individual projects that are considered important to making a difference.
Aside from announcing an increase in government grants, the government has also introduced the public policy approach:
- The national infrastructure strategy has been published – stating detailed objectives of government plans to improve infrastructure with government grants and how it will positively affect the lives, communities, economic growth and surroundings and landscapes. This strategy has been ultimately designed with effects of the pandemic in mind. The government hopes that investing in the country’s infrastructure will boost grow levels post COVID.
- The government also announced that they would set up a bank which would support private investment in infrastructure – helping to support economic struggles regarding infrastructure investment.
- The government have continuously introduced new grants for windows and doors.
They have also planned capital programmed settlements which will ultimate help to fund individual infrastructure projects.
Energy efficiency also plays a huge part in the UK’s plan regarding infrastructure. The government is determined for the UK to reach zero carbon emissions by 2050, and a drastic improvement in infrastructure in the best way to do this.
They have also introduced new government grants which offer new windows double glazed by partnered energy efficient companies. As businesses grow and ways of working evolve, the demands on energy usage will increase, this is why it’s incredibly important that we adapt to an energy efficient infrastructure to suppose these changes.
Various, new infrastructure features, and a new public policy approach will reduce carbon emissions and effectively increase the energy efficiency of the community.
By introducing premium energy efficiency in the infrastructure, this will help to cut essential costs and stimulate the economy – ultimately producing more revenues which will be used to deliver essential services.
The above infrastructure plans and ideas were introduced from the government after collaboration and discussing with The National Infrastructure Commissions.
The National Infrastructure Commissions stated the issues with UK infrastructure whilst providing advice and statistics, and the UK Government implemented the policies, procedures and government grants to help achieve them.