At the state opening of Parliament, her majesty the Queen said the Government would 'prioritise investment in infrastructure' in order to 'unleash productivity and improve daily life' across the country.
With an 80-seat majority, prime minister Boris Johnson will have plenty of freedom to move forward with his Brexit plans abroad as well as push forward his infrastructure plans at home.
The Government confirmed that it will publish a National Infrastructure Strategy alongside the first Budget, setting out 'further details of £100bn investment 'to transform the UK’s infrastructure'.
This will include 'a new £10bn Single Housing Infrastructure fund will provide the roads, schools and GP surgeries needed to support new homes'.
Sir John Armitt, chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, said: 'It is clear that government is preparing to invest considerable sums of money in the UK’s infrastructure, and its strategy will be the opportunity to set out a predictable spending plan that looks well beyond the next decade, with clear objectives and ownership within government. We very much look forward to seeing the detailed strategy.'
The Queen's Speech also saw the Government commit to a number of major investments in the railway, including:
- Midlands Rail Hub, to improve services around Birmingham and throughout the West and East Midlands;
- Northern Powerhouse Rail;
- Reopening a number of the lines and stations closed under the Beeching cuts in the 1960s; and,
- Significant upgrades to urban commuter and regional services outside London.
- The Government will also progress the High-Speed Rail (West Midlands – Crewe) Bill to provide the powers to build and operate the next stage of the High Speed Two (HS2) network (Phase 2a).
Hospital car parking will be made free to 'those most in need', while environmental legislation will deliver 'legally binding air quality targets' as the Government prepares to exit the European Union and potentially lose such legislation from Brussels.
