Terry Jermy MP, Member of Parliament for South West Norfolk, has today celebrated Labour’s announcement of £725bn for long-term funding for maintenance and major infrastructure projects.
The money comes as part of the recent Infrastructure Strategy, a long-term plan for how the government will invest in infrastructure and ensure that funding is spent effectively and efficiently, marking a new approach to how projects are planned and delivered.
During the debate in Parliament Terry Jermy MP also raised the issue of funding for the Ely Junction with Darren Jones MP, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury. The project has seen the green light given twice under the previous government but failed to receive the money it needed for work to begin.
Jermy outlined that the new rail scheme would reduce congestion by 5.6m hours per year, as well return £4.89 in benefits for every £1 invested. Estimates also state that it will remove 98,000 lorry journeys off the road every year and it will reduce carbon emissions by 1.7m tonnes of CO2 over 60 years.
Terry Jermy MP, Member of Parliament for South West Norfolk, said, “I fully welcome the Infrastructure Strategy because it is about investing in Britain’s renewal – to improve lives, enhance public services, and create the conditions for growth across the region, including in Norfolk”
“The decisions taken by the government have only been possible because of difficult choices we’ve made on tax and spending and because we have removed barriers to growth. This funding that this government has put towards rebuilding our schools, hospitals, transport infrastructure, and deliver on our promise of 1.5m new homes. I’m very grateful that the East of England is finally getting the support it needs after 14 years of chaos and underinvestment.”
The soaring maintenance backlog which has left our schools, colleges, hospitals and courts in a state of disrepair will be turned around as part of the government’s landmark 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy.
This government is committed to doing things differently to deliver infrastructure and fix the failures of the past. The Strategy provides the certainty and stability needed to attract investment, boosting British supply chains and jobs, and takes a joined-up view to improve planning and delivery across all types of infrastructure.
It will also encourage inward investment by providing a long-term vision that gives investors the confidence and certainty they need to truly commit funding to projects, creating job opportunities and boosting living standards for people across the country, delivering on the Plan for Change.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
1. The 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy outlines the government’s comprehensive
approach to infrastructure investment across all sectors.
2. This funding commitment follows recommendations from the National Audit
Office on the need for long-term, sustainable maintenance funding.
The 10-year maintenance investment will deliver tangible improvements for people across the country:
• Health: Over £6 billion per year will create safer hospital environments across England
with reduced waiting times, improved patient outcomes, and better working conditions for NHS staff. By eliminating RAAC concrete and addressing critical infrastructure risks,
• Education: Investment in school and college maintenance will rise to almost £3 billion annually, transforming learning environments across England and providing safe and
high-quality spaces for children and young people, improving educational outcomes and breaking down barriers to opportunity.
• Justice: At least £600 million investment each year will improve safety and security in
prisons across England and Wales, reducing incidents and creating environments more conducive to rehabilitation. Enhanced court facilities will help reduce backlogs and
improve access to justice
