The wait will soon be over – the 2025 Spending Review will be announced tomorrow (11 June). For many across the infrastructure sector, it represents a key test for the government, writes GE’s editor Nia Kajastie.
Ahead of the review, it has already been confirmed that the UK government plans to allocate £15.6bn over the next five years to local transport projects in England’s city regions – including South Yorkshire, the North East, East Midlands and Tees Valley.
This package includes funding for infrastructure schemes such as the West Yorkshire Mass Transit network, a new metro extension to East Birmingham in the West Midlands, further expansion of the Metrolink tram network in Greater Manchester, renewal of South Yorkshire’s tram system, and the design of a new mass transit network for the East Midlands.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the funding on 4 June, presenting it as part of a “new economic model – driven by investment in all parts of the country, not just a few”. The announcement followed a review of the Treasury’s Green Book and how investment decisions are made.
The commitment has been welcomed by many in the transport infrastructure sector – including the ground engineering community.
The view is widely shared: projects outside London and the South East have long faced fragmented funding and shifting timelines, making it harder to retain skilled workers and adopt innovative approaches.
Mott MacDonald transport market lead for UK & Europe Thomas Knight said: “The chancellor’s emphasis on rewriting Treasury investment rules to prioritise productivity in the Midlands and the North is a clear signal that infrastructure is being placed at the heart of the UK’s growth strategy. This is a shift we strongly support. Infrastructure is not just about physical assets, it’s about creating opportunity, reducing inequality and building resilience.”
Association for Consultancy and Engineering Group CEO Kate Jennings also welcomed the ambition, but urged government “to ensure that funding commitments extend beyond business case development to full design, construction and delivery”.
“These projects have huge potential to transform communities and drive regional growth, closing the productivity gap with London, but their success depends on comprehensive funding from start to finish. Partial funding risks delays, cost overruns and unfulfilled promises,” she noted.
Ultimately, turning funding announcements into a built reality will require more than high-level support. Early engagement with geotechnical specialists will also be essential to ensure risks are understood and managed from the outset.
The full details of the investments will only become clear after the Spending Review on 11 June. But the sooner industry has clarity – and construction can begin – the greater the chance of delivering lasting impact.