Media in Pennsylvania
Rachel Reeves set out a series of major announcements on infrastructure projects, including support plans for a third track at Heathrow airport.
She promised to go “further and faster” than previous governments after years of slow growth in the United Kingdom.
So what did she announce?
Heathrow expansion
Reeves confirmed that the government officially supported plans to build a third track at Heathrow airport, arguing that it could create 100,000 jobs.
The plans were approved parliamentary in June 2018, but were trapped in limbo after legal challenges since.
She invited Heathrow to submit plans to extend the airport, but promised that the government would only sign them if “in accordance with legal environmental and climatic objectives”.
The government has already supported the expansion of the city’s airport and Stanstead airport around London.
A decision to enlarge Luton airport and build an emergency track at Gatwick airport will soon be delivered, she promised.
The government will work with the Doncaster council and the mayor of South Yorkshire to relaunch the closed airport, aimed at transforming it into a flourishing regional center.
There will also be a new partnership between Prologis and Manchester Airport Group will create a new advanced manufacturing and logistics park, unlocking 1 billion pounds of investment and 2,000 jobs.
‘Silicon Valley’
Reeves has promised to build “Silicon Valley in Europe” between Oxford and Cambridge, revealing policies to stimulate the growth of the region and add 78 billion sterling books to the British economy over the next 10 years.
The funding was confirmed for transport projects, including the East West West Rail, and an upgrade on the A428 between Milton Keynes and Cambridge.
The University of Cambridge will open an innovation center in the city center, which will be built alongside 4,500 new houses, and schools after the Environment Agency has abandoned its opposition.
A new Cambridge cancer research hospital will also be hierarchical.
Lord Patrick Vallance, the former chief scientific advisor of the government and now Minister of Labor, will be responsible for supervising the project.
New tanks
The government will allow water companies to unlock 7.9 billion investment sterling pounds to build nine new tanks, including a new Fens reservoir to serve Cambridge.
There will also be a new Abingdon reservoir near Oxford.
Modification of infrastructure rules
Government councils on the construction of major projects will be examined in order to support investments outside the south and productive in the south-east of England, said Reeves.
“This means that investment in all regions receives a fair audience of the treasure that I direct,” she said.
This will work alongside other major changes set out in the next government planning and infrastructure bill.
Redevelopment of Old Trafford
One of the projects to benefit is to redevelop the Old Trafford football stadium in Manchester United.
Manchester United is expected to make a decision by the end of the season on the opportunity to redevelop the existing stadium in a place of 87,000 inhabitants or to build a brand new field of 100,000.
The Old Trafford program will use public money to move three rail freight terminals blocking the redevelopment.
The mayor of the Grand Manchester Andy Burnham promised that the program would build 5,000 houses and create a second “major football campus” in the city.
Excursions
Reeves has announced that the government would organize a range of commercial trips.
Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds goes to India next month for commercial conferences while the United Kingdom resets “the relationship” with the EU.
Based on “our special relationship with the United States under President Trump” is in the national interest, said Reeves.
National investments of wealth funds
The government will invest in two green energy projects through the National Heritage Fund set up under the workforce.
Reeves said that 65 million pounds sterling will be given to the connected CURB Project electric vehicle charging company to extend their network.
Meanwhile, 28 million pounds sterling will be invested in Cornwall metals, which provide the raw material for solar panels, wind turbines and electric vehicles.
Cross of the lower Thames
Reeves mentioned the new crossing of the Lower Thames, the largest road tunnel in the United Kingdom, which will connect Tilbury to Essex and Gravesend in Kent.
The 9 billion pounds tunnel sterling under the Thames river will be one of the most expensive infrastructure projects in British history. The government explores how to finance it in private.