The National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) is opening a new office in Leeds, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced today, as the government continues to deliver on its levelling up agenda.
The NIC, which provides impartial, expert advice to government on major long-term economic infrastructure challenges, will have a new site in the city by the end of 2023, while also keeping a presence in London.
The commission carries out in-depth studies into the UK’s major infrastructure needs, covering transport, energy, water, flood protection, waste and digital infrastructure and makes recommendations to the government.
There are currently around 50 staff working for the NIC and the new office will ensure that those advising on future infrastructure are more representative of the public they serve, with around 40% of staff expected to be Leeds-based in the future.
The government said the move will help bolster the NIC’s role in addressing regional differences in infrastructure needs.
It is part of the government’s commitment to move 22,000 Civil Service positions out of London and the South East by 2030 through the Places for Growth programme.
The NIC joins the UK Infrastructure Bank in Leeds, who opened their headquarters in the city in June.
The bank is tasked with accelerating investment into ambitious infrastructure projects, cutting emissions and levelling up every part of the UK.
Commenting, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak said:
“We are committed to delivering high-quality infrastructure across all regions of the UK and the National Infrastructure Commission plays an invaluable role in this.
“That is why it’s fantastic to announce that the National Infrastructure Commission will be opening a new office in Leeds. This will help distribute investment and opportunity right across the country as we level up opportunities, boost the economy and help create jobs.”
Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, Sir John Armitt added:
“It’s great to be establishing a second base in Leeds. It is not only a great city to live and work in, but the move underlines the commission’s role in advising government on the role infrastructure can play in boosting local economies and improving quality of life right across the UK.
“We look forward to continuing to work with local leaders as the commission starts work on our next major assessment of the country’s infrastructure needs for the future, to be published in 2023.”
Last year, the government publishing the National Infrastructure Strategy, which laid out plans to upgrade road, rail and digital infrastructure.
Since then, the government has committed over £130bn to economic infrastructure, including £5.7bn over five years to eight city regions in order to boost urban transport connectivity.
They have also committed:
- £5bn to support the rollout of gigabit-capable broadband in hard-to-reach areas through Project Gigabit.
- Completed over 90% of the £850m M4 Junction 3-12 upgrade, which will be open in spring 2022.
- Launched the UK Infrastructure Bank, which is expected to unlock more than £40bn of infrastructure investment.
Alongside this, a further 15 Town Deals were confirmed in July, allocating £335m to revitalise towns across England, as part of the government’s plan to level up English regions.
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