MPs have called for a radical rethink of how major infrastructure projects are delivered, warning that “systemic failures” in the UK’s current delivery model threaten to derail government ambitions for national renewal.

In a new report, Building a Better Future: Inquiry into improving the delivery of national infrastructure projects, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Project Delivery (APPGPD) urges ministers to take decisive action to reform how government plans, procures and manages large-scale schemes.

The cross-party inquiry highlights that while major infrastructure projects—from transport to energy and digital connectivity—can transform communities, too many fall into what MPs describe as the “valley of death” between policy and delivery. This, they argue, is where “ambition and investment are lost to bureaucracy, political churn and a lack of skills.”

Drawing on evidence from project professionals, local authorities, engineers, delivery agencies and academic experts, the report concludes that the UK’s current system is not fit to deliver infrastructure on time, on budget or to maximum public value.

Henry Tufnell, Labour MP for Mid and South Pembrokeshire and Chair of the APPG for Project Delivery, said, “If we want to build the infrastructure that changes people’s lives for the better, we need to get serious about the changes required to make that happen.

“Too often, short-termism, a lack of project skills and an oversimplification of complex challenges lead to overspends, delays, and public disappointment. The country is overflowing with solutions and ideas, but unless we put a protective ring around our project plans and support them with a culture that develops and sustains the skills we need, our ambitions will be derailed.”

He added: “Ballooning budgets and growing timelines are a symptom of an approach to infrastructure delivery which is not working. With billions of pounds to be invested in infrastructure over the next decade, the government must urgently fix the foundations of our shaky delivery system. Our current system is an obstacle to success – it’s time for government to clear the path to building a better future.”

The APPGPD calls for a fundamental reset of the UK’s delivery culture, recommending that ministers use the 10-year Infrastructure Plan and the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) to embed a “delivery discipline” across government.

Among the key recommendations:

Protect projects from short-term politics by setting early targets, clarifying accountability and ensuring consistent delivery across parliaments.
Mandate independent delivery assurance for all major projects before public announcement, and ensure project professionals are involved from inception.
Introduce project management training for senior civil servants and require every government department to appoint a Chief Project Officer.
Develop a National Infrastructure Delivery Skills Roadmap to create a stable talent pipeline aligned with long-term priorities.
Reform procurement to enable early supplier engagement and embed lessons from international best practice.
Empower NISTA to oversee national infrastructure projects from policy to completion, improving consistency and accountability.

For the transport sector – long dogged by high-profile cost overruns and delay – the report’s findings underscore the urgent need for better integration between policy, design and delivery. Industry groups including the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the Major Projects Association (MPA) have previously warned that short political cycles, fragmented delivery chains and insufficient skills investment are stifling progress on essential transport infrastructure.

The full report is available on the APPG for Project Delivery’s website:

MPs call for radical overhaul of major project delivery in new APPG report

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