Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Institution of Civil Engineers’ policy position statement on evolving the UK strategic infrastructure planning system, published on 12 July 2021, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of the ICE's recommendations on publishing a national policy statement for infrastructure.

The government is committed to improving National Policy Statements and in the July speech, the Chancellor announced an immediate 12-month review of National Policy Statements. To build on the review, we will legislate, through the Planning Infrastructure Bill, to mandate the updating of National Policy Statements every five years.

Longer term, Government is developing a 10-year Infrastructure Strategy and establishing the National Infrastructure Strategy and Transformation Agency, which will play a crucial role in shaping the future of national infrastructure.