Engineers urge Treasury to “plan smarter, build faster”

The Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) has urged the Government to “plan smarter and build faster” in its Autumn Budget – calling for a long-term 30-year infrastructure strategy to unlock growth and strengthen the UK’s infrastructure.

ACE warns that fragmented planning, disparate devolution and outdated procurement are holding back growth.

Representing a £39bn industry employing 470,000 people, ACE says the UK’s engineering and consultancy sector stands ready to deliver infrastructure-led growth, especially if Government acts now to remove the barriers throttling delivery.

Kate Jennings, CEO of ACE, said: “This is not a call for more spending. It’s a call for smarter planning, faster decisions and genuine partnership with the experts who can deliver the UK’s growth ambitions and change gear on infrastructure delivery. When Government behaves like an investor this will drive productivity and reduce cost.”

ACE’s Three Priorities for Growth:

Plan Smarter, Build Faster: Put design at the heart of infrastructure planning, publish the Land Use Framework, digitise planning and building safety systems, commit to a 30-year infrastructure strategy to maximise return on investment, build investor confidence, and ensure value for money.

Devolution that Builds: Empower mayors with integrated, multi-year budgets and revolutionise compulsory purchase powers.

Secure the Foundations of Growth: Recognise engineering design as a strategic professional services sector in the industrial strategy, review fiscal burdens, simplify brownfield development and support retrofit delivery through VAT reform.

Kate Jennings added: “These reforms are about securing the future of UK infrastructure – faster delivery, smarter design, and greener growth. If we get this right, we’ll build a country ready for the next century. If we don’t, we’ll watch our infrastructure ambitions fade while others forge ahead.”