Let's Get Back to What We're Good At
British science and engineering shaped the world. We built the world's first railway, the world's first coal-fired power station, and the world's first commercial nuclear power station.
To get back to what we’re good at – building and inventing things - we need to unlock the potential of every part of the UK. Below are some of our initial ideas for solutions that could be put in place to remove barriers that exist today to securing our energy supply and costs, and enabling faster, cheaper, and better transport.
Over the next six months we will be talking to people and businesses across the country to hear your ideas and concerns to develop further solutions to the problems we all face.
Cheaper Energy
Our energy bills are out of our control because excessive planning legislation has delayed or blocked the building of new power stations and renewable energy sources time and time again in recent decades. We want Britain to be self-sufficient when it comes to energy and believe that by unblocking the needless planning barriers that exist, the UK can shield itself from global price rises, bring down bills, and create decent, well paid, jobs in the process.
Faster Transport
Britons are forced to endure long, unpredictable, congested and expensive commutes if they want to access the best local jobs. We need to build more, but the UK has some of the highest infrastructure costs in the world. The Elizabeth Line took 23 years to build at a cost of £19 billion. By contrast, Madrid built an entire subway network from scratch for just £4 billion in four years.
Affordable Housing
House prices in London are now 12.5 times average incomes. The last time they were this high relative to the average salary, Queen Victoria was on the throne. This means a young couple doing the right thing and earning a decent wage would have to scrimp and save for three decades just to afford a deposit.