The Civil Aviation Authority is the independent economic regulator of Heathrow Airport and is responsible for establishing the regulatory framework within which Heathrow operates. The framework is intended to provide incentives for efficient investment, including investment that supports the resilience of airport infrastructure, while protecting the interests of consumers. The Government continues to engage with the CAA on aviation resilience whilst respecting its operational and regulatory independence.

Of the rail infrastructure projects in England currently delivering on site with an anticipated capital cost of less than £50 million, 144 projects are forecasting completion after their original baseline completion date, out of a total of approximately 500 projects.

While TOs are responsible for delivering Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) projects, Ofgem plays a key role in scrutinising delivery plans, setting the regulatory requirements and monitoring performance (including completion dates), against agreed outputs and milestones. As the independent regulator, Ofgem holds TOs accountable for the efficient and timely delivery of ASTI projects and can investigate potential non-compliance where delivery falls short of regulatory requirements. Government monitors the progress of transmission projects required to meet our goal of clean power through regular engagement with industry and regulators.

According to National Energy System Operator (NESO), as of 24 July, the Transmission Entry Capacity (TEC) Register included 81.7GW of generation capacity that has been built. 284.64GW of generation capacity has received revised ‘Gate 2’ connection offers (confirmed connection location and date) under the reformed connections process. The TEC Register will be updated by NESO as connection offers are accepted or declined.

Early Construction Funding (ECF) is a regulatory mechanism established by Ofgem which allows network companies to access a limited proportion of approved project funding before all statutory consents have been secured. Under Ofgem's Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) guidance, the normal limit for ECF is 20 per cent of project licence costs, although higher levels may be considered by Ofgem in exceptional circumstances. Decisions on the award of ECF are a matter for Ofgem as the independent energy regulator.

The Transmission Works Report (TWR) is being updated in light of revised connection offers issued as part of the connections reform process. All projects that accept a ‘Gate 2’ connection offer (confirmed connection location and date) will have a corresponding entry in the TWR, regardless of their connection date.

According to National Energy System Operator (NESO), as of 24 July, the Transmission Entry Capacity (TEC) Register included 373 generation projects that have been built. 1,026 generation projects have received revised ‘Gate 2’ connection offers (confirmed connection location and date) under the reformed connections process. The TEC Register will be updated by NESO as connection offers are accepted or declined.

The government recognises the importance of resilient airport infrastructure for passengers and the wider economy. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), as the independent economic regulator of Heathrow Airport, is responsible for setting the economic regulatory framework for the airport.

The government continues to engage with the CAA and Heathrow on matters relating to the airport's resilience and future investment, while respecting the CAA's independent statutory duties. Decisions on any future airport expansion will be considered through the appropriate planning and regulatory processes.

The government recognises that some communities may be affected by multiple Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs). NSIP applications are likely to require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). All EIAs must assess cumulative effects, including those arising from existing and reasonably foreseeable developments in the vicinity. The EIA process is a statutory requirement, providing robust safeguards to ensure that cumulative impacts are identified and addressed before any development proceeds. There remains opportunities for communities to scrutinise proposals and inform mitigation measures through examination.

We also published updated guidance on 14^th July which summarises the process for undertaking cumulative effects assessments in the context of NSIPs under the Planning Act 2008, which can be found on gov.uk here

Ofcom, the independent regulator, is responsible for regulating the UK’s wholesale telecoms market. As part of this, it has powers to impose pricing remedies on Openreach to promote competition and protect consumers. The Government’s Statement of Strategic Priorities for Telecommunications steers Ofcom to closely monitor Openreach’s commercial terms and pricing to ensure fair competition, whilst supporting investment, economic growth and the roll out of high-quality digital infrastructure. My department engages with Ofcom regularly on matters related to this market.

On 1 June 2026, Openreach notified Ofcom of its proposed wholesale offers. This was in accordance with Ofcom’s requirement for Openreach to provide at least 120 days’ notice of wholesale discounts. To inform its assessment of the offers, Ofcom has published a Call for Inputs to determine whether the discounts raise any competition concerns and is expected to reach a decision after the summer.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) published in December 2024 makes clear that local planning authorities should plan positively for the provision and use of shared spaces, community facilities, transport and other infrastructure to enhance the sustainability of communities and residential environments, taking into account local strategies to improve health, social and cultural wellbeing for all sections of the community.

Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted on a new NPPF. That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, included proposals relating to community facilities and public service infrastructure.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) published in December 2024 makes clear that local planning authorities should plan positively for the provision and use of shared spaces, community facilities, transport and other infrastructure to enhance the sustainability of communities and residential environments, taking into account local strategies to improve health, social and cultural wellbeing for all sections of the community.

Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted on a new NPPF. That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, included proposals relating to community facilities and public service infrastructure.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.

The government remains determined to drive local plans to adoption as quickly as possible in order to achieve our ambition of universal plan coverage and to ensure that plans contribute positively to increasing rates of housebuilding and infrastructure delivery. Local government reorganisation should not hinder the adoption of an up-to-date local plan.

National planning policy makes clear that local plans should be positively prepared and, as a minimum, seek to meet identified development needs. Local planning authorities are expected to do all they reasonably can to meet need, including working proactively with infrastructure providers (including water providers) to align growth and infrastructure provision. If needs cannot be met, the authority must clearly and robustly explain the reasons during the plan examination. The approach the authority has taken, including how it engaged with infrastructure providers, will be a key consideration for the independent Inspector in evaluating whether the local plan can be found ‘sound’.

Local planning authorities should consider whether otherwise unacceptable development could be made acceptable through the use of conditions or planning obligations. This could include the provision of infrastructure which is necessary to make a development acceptable in planning terms. Where it is in place, developers may also contribute towards infrastructure through the Community Infrastructure Levy.

Defra has established a Water Delivery Taskforce to ensure that water companies deliver on their planned investments to provide water and wastewater capacity. Water companies are under a statutory duty to provide new water and sewerage connections and must plan for future growth through their water resources and wastewater management plans. The water resources planning guideline published by the Environment Agency and Ofwat. Sets out how those companies should forecast demand for water based on existing customers and planned levels of household and non-household growth.

As set out in the Defence Investment Plan, the Ministry of Defence will invest £330 million over the next four years in critical underwater infrastructure protection, including enhanced capabilities for RFA PROTEUS. We will also explore opportunities to partner with industry and investors on commercially provided solutions to increase the resilience and protection of associated capabilities. The timelines associated with programme delivery remain will be determined as specific capability solutions are down selected.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes clear that transport issues should be considered from the earliest stages of plan-making and development proposals, using a vision-led approach to identify transport solutions that deliver well-designed, sustainable and popular places.  This should involve understanding and addressing the potential impacts of development on transport networks, and realising opportunities from existing or proposed transport infrastructure, and changing transport technology and usage – for example in relation to the scale, location or density of development that can be accommodated.

Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted on a new NPPF. That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, included proposals relating to sustainable transport and updated policy on the vision-led approach to planning for transport. We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.