UK Guarantee Scheme for infrastructure
UK Guarantees is a government scheme designed to kickstart crucial infrastructure projects. It takes the form of an unconditional and irrevocable financial guarantee from the Treasury to lenders that they will be repaid in full and on time for their investments in infrastructure projects, regardless of the project performance.
The scheme was introduced in 2012 because of adverse credit conditions, with the aim of avoiding investment delays which could risk the stalling of infrastructure projects.
With the Treasury acting as guarantor, the Scheme covers a range of different underlying borrowing structures, from project financing to corporate lending in support of infrastructure. The level of risk is determined by an internal Treasury Risk Committee.
Despite market conditions improving since 2012, the Chancellor announced in the Autumn Statement 2016 that the Scheme’s availability would be extended to at least 2026.
The Treasury, in providing guarantees, uses a test that the guarantee fee must represent a market price for the risk, rather than considering the project’s overall value for money. This has caused some, such as the National Audit Office, to raise concerns about the rigorousness and objectivity in assessing whether guarantees for new infrastructure projects are genuinely needed, and whether the public value they are likely to bring will be significant.
You can see a table listing the status of projects on the UK Guarantees Scheme here.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
HBPT and BEAMS Jubilees. Book review.
Does the first Labour budget deliver for the built environment?
What does the UK Budget mean for electrical contractors?
Mixed response as business pays, are there silver linings?
A brownfield housing boost for Liverpool
A 56 million investment from Homes England now approved.
Fostering a future-ready workforce through collaboration
Collaborative Futures: Competence, Capability and Capacity, published and available for download.
Considerate Constructors Scheme acquires Building A Safer Future
Acquisition defines a new era for safety in construction.
AT Awards evening 2024; the winners and finalists
Recognising professionals with outstanding achievements.
Reactions to the Autumn Budget announcement
And key elements of the quoted budget to rebuild Britain.
Chancellor of the Exchequer delivers Budget
Repairing, fixing, rebuilding, protecting and strengthening.
Expectation management in building design
Interest, management, occupant satisfaction and the performance gap.
Connecting conservation research and practice with IHBC
State of the art heritage research & practice and guidance.
Innovative Silica Safety Toolkit
Receives funding boost in memory of construction visionary.
Gentle density and the current context of planning changes
How should designers deliver it now as it appears in NPPF.
Sustainable Futures. Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living
More speakers confirmed for BSRIA Briefing 2024.
Making the most of urban land: Brownfield Passports
Policy paper in brief with industry responses welcomed.
The boundaries and networks of the Magonsæte.