UK infrastructure bank
The first National Infrastructure Strategy (NIS) was published by HM Treasury on 25 November 2020 as part of the Spending Review. It described government plans to transform UK infrastructure based around three central objectives:
- Economic recovery.
- Levelling up and strengthening the Union.
- Meeting the UK’s net zero emissions target by 2050.
The strategy included plans to set up a new UK infrastructure bank that will co-invest in infrastructure projects alongside the private sector. The bank will operate UK-wide, will be based in the North of England, and will support the NIS objectives. It will also be able to lend to local and mayoral authorities for key infrastructure projects, and provide them with advice on developing and financing infrastructure.
The new bank will operate within a mandate set by government and will have a high degree of operational independence. It will replace some of the activities of the European Investment Bank (EIB) following the UK’s departure from the European Union. However, the bank will provide more targeted support than the EIB and will be better aligned with the government’s objectives.
It will use a range of tools to support private projects. As well as offering guarantees through the existing UK Guarantees scheme, it will be able to offer debt, equity, and hybrid products.
The 2021 budget will set out comprehensive details regarding the operations, mandate and scale of the bank. The government intends that the bank will be operational in an interim form from spring 2021 so that it can play a role in supporting the UK’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The government will legislate for the bank at the earliest opportunity, to put it on a statutory footing.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Budget 2020 and the first National Infrastructure Strategy.
- Building our Industrial Strategy: green paper.
- Construction 2025.
- Five key themes for global infrastructure policy in 2021.
- Government publishes UK infrastructure strategy.
- Infrastructure UK.
- National Infrastructure Commission.
- National Infrastructure Commission’s Annual Monitoring Report 2020
- National Infrastructure Pipeline.
- National Infrastructure Plan.
- National Infrastructure Strategy.
- Natural capital, infrastructure banks and energy system renationalisation.
- The first step to long-term prosperity - the National Infrastructure Strategy.
- The growing importance of an evidence-based National Infrastructure Strategy.
- The Institution of Civil Engineers.
Featured articles and news
A case study and a warning to would-be developers
Creating four dwellings for people to come home to... after half a century of doing this job, why, oh why, is it so difficult?
Reform of the fire engineering profession
Fire Engineers Advisory Panel: Authoritative Statement, reactions and next steps.
Restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster
A complex project of cultural significance from full decant to EMI, opportunities and a potential a way forward.
Apprenticeships and the responsibility we share
Perspectives from the CIOB President as National Apprentice Week comes to a close.
The first line of defence against rain, wind and snow.
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description from the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.
Futurebuild and UK Construction Week London Unite
Creating the UK’s Built Environment Super Event and over 25 other key partnerships.
Welsh and Scottish 2026 elections
Manifestos for the built environment for upcoming same May day elections.
Advancing BIM education with a competency framework
“We don’t need people who can just draw in 3D. We need people who can think in data.”