A really interesting interview with Sinéad Walshe of Aviva Investors as part of our perspectives on infrastructure series. The Prime Minister's statement today that the state must let the private sector "get on with it" when it comes to improving infrastructure and investing in offshore wind, is to be welcomed. However, for this to work, it will be important for Government and stakeholders to work together to ensure there is clarity on pipeline and delivery models.
She says she does not believe the pandemic will have a long-term impact on the approach to private investment in UK infrastructure: “The government policy around supporting infrastructure is encouraging,” says Walshe, “although the role for private finance is less clear. A lot of the £5 billion infrastructure investment programme that has been announced is public sector focused, and what we would hope to see is more alignment between public and private to really deliver infrastructure effectively.”