On the wrong track: An analysis of the autumn statement announcements on transport infrastructure

Article

Much was made in the chancellor's autumn statement of how every region of England will benefit from increased infrastructure spending, with the chancellor listing a host of road and rail projects in the North of England as part of his speech. In order to assess these claims, IPPR North has analysed the data detailing the projects to be brought forward as part of the national infrastructure pipeline.

Behind the rhetoric of rebalancing, our analysis reveals a very different picture and a series of regional disparities that are, at a simple level, unfair. But they also defy the economic logic upon which they are supposedly based. While the government is right to focus on infrastructure investment, a greater proportion of its investment needs to be channelled to so-called 'lagging regions' in order to get the UK economy firing on all cylinders.

Related items

  1. Celebrating 10 years of IPPR Scotland

    In celebration of our 10th anniversary, IPPR Scotland was delighted to host a daylong conference on October 29. 
  2. Close-up as a woman prepares cash for payment.

    A war on bills: Why the government should focus relentlessly on the cost of living

    The public’s top concern is the cost of living.
  3. Many national flags against blue sky

    Navigating a world between orders: Launching the Centre for Geopolitics and International Policy

    Following a successful first phase of our international programme, IPPR has launched the Centre for Geopolitics and International Policy (CGIP).