Eoghan O’Lionaird discusses infrastructure funding on the BBC
Eoghan O’Lionaird discusses infrastructure funding on the BBC
This morning, our CEO, Eoghan O’Lionaird, was interviewed by Sean Farrington on the Today programme on BBC Radio 4 to discuss public-private funding of infrastructure.
The interview was in the context of the government’s ten-year infrastructure strategy and the announcement in the recent spending review of some budget funding for large infrastructure projects. More details are expected this week.
Eoghan promoted the idea of England’s economic and social infrastructure, like roads, prisons and schools, being partly funded by pension funds and other investors in public-private partnerships, as they are in many countries, including Scotland and Wales.
Wates has been advocating this approach with the government, and has published a white paper on the topic.
When asked if the private finance was ready to invest, Eoghan pointed to around £2 trillion of investment being available, if the right framework was in place to manage it.
To hear the interview on BBC Sounds, listen from 23 minutes 40 seconds.
Unlocking the future of UK infrastructure: a new approach to funding
We are calling for a fresh approach to public-private partnerships to help unlock the investment needed to deliver the next generation of schools, hospitals, housing and defence infrastructure.
