CILT(UK)’s Public Policy Committee (PPC) Chair, Sue Terpilowski FCILT OBE said she was honoured to participate in a roundtable discussion with Chancellor Rachel Reeves on Monday 27 January.
It was a joint meeting between the British Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses (FBS) ahead of the Chancellor’s major speech on growth today at the Siemens Healthiness facility in Oxfordshire.
The roundtable focused on prioritising infrastructure projects as key drivers for unlocking growth across the UK.
The focus:
Key areas addressed included infrastructure projects, support for micro and small businesses and public procurement.
The talks encompassed Heathrow and broader airport expansion plans, reflecting a comprehensive approach to infrastructure development.
CILT(UK) PPC Chair Sue Terpilowski FCILT OBE said: “What stood out was the Chancellor's apparent strategic pivot towards smaller businesses, viewing them as crucial engines for delivering economic growth over the next four years.”
Key discussion points raised:
Sue alongside the British Chamber of Commerce and FBS raised several crucial points during the discussions.
They highlighted concerns around airport connectivity issues and the ongoing rail electrification work programme.
Also discussed were timelines for major infrastructure projects as even with immediate approval, delivery can typically span 12 to 15 years.
Drawing from experience, Sue referenced valuable lessons from the Olympics regarding business involvement.
She particularly mentioned the opportunity to broaden participation in the planning stages rather than defaulting to larger corporations.
This approach resonated with the Treasury who were supportive regarding the need to involve smaller businesses from the outset of major infrastructure projects.
What was announced for the sector?
The Chancellor unveiled a major infrastructure push, headlined by support for Heathrow's third runway which is expected to create over 100,000 direct jobs and deliver benefits across the UK through cheaper fares and increased connectivity.
This comes alongside expansion plans for other airports, including Gatwick, Luton, and London City Airport, plus support for reopening Doncaster Sheffield Airport.
In the logistics sector, a significant partnership between Prologis and East Midlands Airport will create a new advanced manufacturing park within the Freeport zone, representing £1 billion in investment and 2,000 new jobs.
The government is also progressing with the Lower Thames Crossing to improve port connectivity.
Rail and road infrastructure is set for major upgrades, particularly in the Oxford-Cambridge corridor.
This includes the development of East-West Rail with new services between Oxford and Milton Keynes, a new East Coast Mainline station at Tempsford, and the A428 upgrade which will improve journey times with a new 10-mile dual carriageway.
Looking to the future, the government is investing £65 million to expand the UK's EV charging network from 9,000 to 40,000 sockets, supporting the transition to electric vehicles.