Mike Reader MP (Labour, Northampton South) has been confirmed as the new chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Infrastructure (APPGI) at an Inaugural General Meeting that took place Thursday, 27 November at Portcullis House, Westminster, London.
Before being elected to represent Northampton South in July, Reader worked in the built environment sector and studied civil engineering at university. His last role was director of winning work at global consultancy and construction firm, Mace.
Sir John Armitt, chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, and former ICE president, attended the meeting and spoke with members about the importance of infrastructure to the UK.
He explained the vital role it will play in helping the country reach its environmental and economic goals and the decisions this Parliament will have to make.
Sir John said: “Closing the gap between the infrastructure the country has and what it needs will be a defining challenge for this Parliament. The scale of investment required, and the urgency of the challenge is unprecedented, and the ten-year infrastructure strategy will be an opportunity to reset the UK’s approach.
“Government will need to draw upon the unrivalled skills and expertise of companies right across the UK’s infrastructure sector. Under Mike’s leadership, this group will I’m sure be a strong voice for the industry, using its convening power to give ministers and parliamentarians access to the latest thinking about how we secure sustainable growth, meet our net zero goals and create a more climate resilient nation.”
What is the APPGI?
The APPGI highlights the importance of economic infrastructure like railways, roads, water and energy infrastructure to parliamentarians and government, and facilitates relationships with industry.
From raising the profile of major infrastructure projects and their benefits amongst parliamentarians to advising the government on critical built environment matters, it is well placed to engage parliamentarians in infrastructure policy issues.
The Institution of Civil Engineers is the official secretariat for the APPGI and organises its programme of events on infrastructure-related topics throughout the year.
Parliamentary groups are suspended in the lead up to general elections, so the APPGI has not been active since May 2024. Now that it’s reinstated, the new members are keen to work with the ICE to raise the profile of infrastructure with Parliamentarians and decision makers.
Reader said: “Infrastructure is crucial for so much. Delivered well, it unlocks growth and better opportunities for people. We need to invest in infrastructure to secure the UK’s energy supply and address the challenges climate change presents.
“As APPGI chair, I’ll draw on my experience of nearly 20 years’ experience working in the built environment sector, as well as on the expertise of the Institution of Civil Engineers and others, to meet these challenges in a strategic and sustainable way.”
In addition to Reader, Baroness Young of Old Scone (Labour), Tom Gordon MP (Liberal Democrat, Harrogate and Knaresborough), and Blake Stephenson MP (Conservative, Mid Bedfordshire) have joined the APPGI as officers.
There are 49 members of the APPGI in total.