Confidence in the government’s ability to deliver major infrastructure projects has risen since Andy Burnham became prime minister, new research claims.
The survey of 1,008 UK-based project professionals, commissioned by the Association for Project Management (APM) and carried out by Censuswide, found that 64% of respondents are more confident in the government’s ability to deliver major infrastructure projects, against 2% who said they are less confident.
The research also points to rising trust in the government’s project delivery capabilities. Ninety-five per cent of project professionals said they trust the government to deliver projects well, up from 85% in 2023, while 5% said they do not, down from 13% in 2023.
The findings arrive as major infrastructure projects sit at the centre of the government’s agenda, with ministers expecting such schemes to drive economic growth across every region of the UK.
Andrew Baldwin, head of policy and public affairs at APM, said: “Project professionals are at the heart of delivering the infrastructure that underpins the UK’s economic growth. These findings indicate growing confidence among the project profession in the government’s ability to deliver major infrastructure projects successfully.
“With nearly two-thirds of respondents reporting increased confidence and an overwhelming majority expressing trust in the government’s delivery capability, efforts to strengthen project leadership and delivery standards in government-led projects are being recognised by those working in the profession. This level of confidence provides the foundations for the successful delivery of the infrastructure projects needed to support the UK’s future ambitions.”
The research highlights the role project professionals play in supporting delivery of major infrastructure across transport, energy, housing and digital infrastructure. APM is calling on the government to build on the momentum by ensuring civil servants and advisers embed project-centric thinking into their priorities and strategies.
Baldwin added: “New prime ministers often see a ‘bounce’ in polls. In order for the government to maintain these confidence levels, the prime minister must prioritise and set clear goals for what he wants to achieve around infrastructure, agree risk appetite with his cabinet, and make sure projects and programmes are properly resourced. Supply chain and procurement management is the area where most project professionals feel the government can improve on project delivery, so this should be a priority.”
Main image: Prime Minister Andy Burnham
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