This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/sep/05/infrastructure-quango-uk-report

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
UK needs dedicated infrastructure quango, says report UK needs dedicated infrastructure quango, says report
(14 days later)
Britain needs a dedicated infrastructure quango to tackle the country's congested roads, the threat of power shortages, and the risk of droughts, a review by Sir John Armitt, the Olympics chief, has found.Britain needs a dedicated infrastructure quango to tackle the country's congested roads, the threat of power shortages, and the risk of droughts, a review by Sir John Armitt, the Olympics chief, has found.
Armitt recommended an independent commission to plan major projects for future generations, after he was asked by the Labour party to examine the UK's approach to infrastructure.Armitt recommended an independent commission to plan major projects for future generations, after he was asked by the Labour party to examine the UK's approach to infrastructure.
The chairman of the Olympics Delivery Authority said the UK is currently "struggling" to get companies to build necessary public projects such as roads, airports, power plants and reservoirs. "This is leading to congested roads and airports, the threat of energy brownouts and water shortages," he said.The chairman of the Olympics Delivery Authority said the UK is currently "struggling" to get companies to build necessary public projects such as roads, airports, power plants and reservoirs. "This is leading to congested roads and airports, the threat of energy brownouts and water shortages," he said.
The aim of a new body would be to "foster long-term economic growth" and produce a 30-year plan once every decade to make sure Britain is thinking ahead about its needs.The aim of a new body would be to "foster long-term economic growth" and produce a 30-year plan once every decade to make sure Britain is thinking ahead about its needs.
Before the report's publication today, Armitt said Britain's major national infrastructure had "fallen behind the rest of the world" over the last 40 years and was "increasingly struggling to cope with the demands we make of it".Before the report's publication today, Armitt said Britain's major national infrastructure had "fallen behind the rest of the world" over the last 40 years and was "increasingly struggling to cope with the demands we make of it".
He called on politicians from all parties to make infrastructure a "national priority alongside education and health".He called on politicians from all parties to make infrastructure a "national priority alongside education and health".
"London 2012 proved we are capable of planning and delivering complex and innovative infrastructure projects with local and national cross-party support," he said. "We did it right for the Games and now we need to apply the lessons we've learned to other areas and services we need to improve to cope with the challenges ahead.""London 2012 proved we are capable of planning and delivering complex and innovative infrastructure projects with local and national cross-party support," he said. "We did it right for the Games and now we need to apply the lessons we've learned to other areas and services we need to improve to cope with the challenges ahead."
Armitt, a former chief executive of Railtrack and Network Rail, was knighted last year and is still in charge of the Olympic Delivery Authority, which is in charge of the legacy of the London 2012 park and venues.Armitt, a former chief executive of Railtrack and Network Rail, was knighted last year and is still in charge of the Olympic Delivery Authority, which is in charge of the legacy of the London 2012 park and venues.
Ed Balls, Labour's shadow chancellor, who commissioned the report, said successive governments have too often "ducked and delayed the vital decisions" on national infrastructure. He urged the coalition to work with Labour to implement Sir John's report.Ed Balls, Labour's shadow chancellor, who commissioned the report, said successive governments have too often "ducked and delayed the vital decisions" on national infrastructure. He urged the coalition to work with Labour to implement Sir John's report.
The Treasury did not comment on the recommendations of the report, but a minister described it as a "massive own goal" by Labour because it acknowledges that the economy was still in crisis when the party left power in 2010.The Treasury did not comment on the recommendations of the report, but a minister described it as a "massive own goal" by Labour because it acknowledges that the economy was still in crisis when the party left power in 2010.
David Gauke, a Treasury minister, said the review was "an epitaph to Labour's failure over 13 years to address the infrastructure challenges Britain faces".David Gauke, a Treasury minister, said the review was "an epitaph to Labour's failure over 13 years to address the infrastructure challenges Britain faces".
"This government is clearing up the mess, creating an economy for hardworking people by investing in the biggest programme of infrastructure development since the Victorian era," he added."This government is clearing up the mess, creating an economy for hardworking people by investing in the biggest programme of infrastructure development since the Victorian era," he added.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.