Government launches new body to “get a grip” on infrastructure delays

The Government has launched the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) in a bid to accelerate the delivery of major government projects.

NISTA – the product of a merger between the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) and the Infrastructure & Projects Authority (IPA) – is intended to overcome barriers and provide expertise on private finance, alongside developing and implementing the 10-year infrastructure strategy.

“NISTA will look to fix the foundations of our infrastructure system by bringing strategy and delivery under one roof, addressing the systemic delivery challenges that have stunted growth for decades,” the Treasury added.

It said that over recent years uncertainty about infrastructure plans and policy and poor delivery had inhibited investment in programmes and supply chains, pushing up end costs for consumers.

The Government has also today published the Teal Book, which it has described as “the definitive guide for successful project delivery in government”.

Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Treasury said: “NISTA will get a grip on the delays to infrastructure delivery that for too long have plagued our global reputation with investors. Today we are ushering in a new era for infrastructure delivery, restoring the confidence of businesses to invest and driving a decade of national renewal, powering growth across the country, and delivering on our Plan for Change.”

NISTA will sit as a unit within the Treasury.