Why Can't Britain Build?

Britain faces a crisis of delivery. From nuclear power stations to airport runways and water infrastructure, costs have spiralled and timelines have stretched into decades. How has a major modern economy become so incapable of building what it needs? From amongst the most expensive nuclear power stations in the world, to huge costs for airport runways and the absurdities of the HS2, Britain is an infrastructure basket case. This matters not least to ensure that the economy can grow, as the politicians keep talking about.

The causes are not insolvable: political indecision; the absence of system-wide planning; and construction processes clogged with bureaucracy rather than construction. This podcast sets out what must change — and why fixing Britain’s infrastructure is fundamental to restoring competitiveness and economic resilience.