ACE calls for a Department for Infrastructure

The Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) has called for the establishment of a Department for Infrastructure. The department would take responsibility for leading and advising on the development of all infrastructure projects at central government level.

The latest ACE paper argues that the department would aim to deliver for infrastructure what Defra currently does for climate change adaptation – proving a single lead authority to ensure consistency of approach across central government. Nelson Ogunshakin, ACE chief executive, said: “Infrastructure development is vital to the prosperity of the UK as it moves to a low carbon economy. Establishing this department would be a bold move by an incoming government that would send a strong signal to business and policymakers that infrastructure has a central place in government.”

ACE’s policy paper suggests that Infrastructure UK would become a part of the new department. ACE believes this would support the work currently being undertaken by the chief construction adviser, Paul Morrell, and compliment the establishment of an infrastructure bank or fund.

While the newly elected Prime Minister, David Cameron, has recently appointed Ministers, ACE believes that such a move would help the Conservative-led coalition government achieve its aims of reducing the deficit and national debt. The new department would remove duplication and should bring greater efficiency. It would also reduce government expenditure on procurement processes.