Government signals at least £725bn of infrastructure investment over 10 years across 780 major projects, with 2026 focused on delivery of 2025 commitments.
New ONS data shows UK construction output slipping at the end of 2025, even as forecasts point to a modest recovery led by infrastructure in 2026.
Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 reforms target faster consents for nationally significant projects and housing near rail, reshaping routes to approval.
Barbour ABI flags a 2026 pipeline of major schemes from Gatwick’s £2.2bn northern runway to £1.5bn offshore wind and data centre projects.
Awards season highlights design and delivery excellence as key construction and infrastructure competitions open or move towards shortlisting.
Today’s update: fresh data confirms a soft end to 2025 for UK construction output just as Westminster doubles down on a decade-long infrastructure push and streamlining of the planning regime. Major airport, energy and digital schemes are lining up for 2026 against a backdrop of cost pressure, skills constraints and evolving consents routes. Here’s what you need to know to stay ahead today.
Ongoing Stories
Following earlier coverage of UK infrastructure delivery risks, the latest ICE commentary sits alongside a newly signalled £725bn government investment programme, sharpening the focus on how policy, skills and delivery models will interact over the next decade. (Source: ICE)
Returning today to the theme of a strained construction pipeline, Barbour ABI’s 2026 top-projects list adds specific schemes and price tags to concerns over capacity, from Gatwick’s £2.2bn runway upgrade to £1.5bn offshore wind and data centre investments. (Source: Barbour ABI)
Top 5 Headlines
💰 UK commits to at least £725bn across 780 major projects over 10 years
The UK government is planning to invest a minimum of £725bn over the next decade in 780 major projects spanning energy, transport, utilities, social infrastructure and digital networks. For 2026, the emphasis is on delivering commitments made in 2025, including energy transition schemes, rail electrification and regional connectivity improvements. This scale of spend underpins the long-term workload for contractors, consultants and investors, but will test supply chain capacity, skills and delivery models. (Source: Caval; ICE)
🚆 Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 to streamline major schemes
The Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 introduces reforms aimed at speeding up consents for nationally significant infrastructure projects and encouraging housing delivery around railway stations. The changes are designed to simplify processes and make it easier to bring forward large transport and energy assets, alongside transit-oriented residential development. For promoters of major schemes, the direction of travel is towards tighter timelines but potentially higher expectations around integration with housing and local growth. (Source: Charles Russell Speechlys)
🏗️ 2026 major project pipeline led by Gatwick, offshore wind and data centres
Barbour ABI’s top UK construction projects for 2026 include Gatwick Airport’s £2.2bn Northern Runway scheme, the £1.5bn G Park 1 London Docklands data centre and the 1,080MW Inch Cape offshore wind farm, also valued at £1.5bn. Other significant starts flagged include £250m major repairs to Hammersmith Bridge (June 2026), a 400MW Kincardine Grid Services Complex energy storage project and several £200m mixed-use and energy hubs such as Medway One, Paddington Triangle and Trafford Wharf. This mix of aviation, energy, digital and complex urban developments points to a diversified project landscape but will intensify competition for specialist skills and suppliers. (Source: Barbour ABI)
📉 Late-2025 construction output dip contrasts with 2026 growth forecast
ONS data show UK construction output falling 2.1% in Q4 2025, with a 1.3% monthly drop in November 2025 and annual growth of only 0.9% in October 2025, even as 2025 output overall rose 1.8%. The construction output price index increased 2.7% in the year to December 2025, while JLL forecasts 2.8% output growth in 2026, led by infrastructure (+3.9%) and industrial work, with tender prices expected to rise around 3.5% on the back of labour and materials cost pressures. The combination of softer recent activity and rising prices suggests tighter margins and more selective bidding as the upturn takes hold. (Source: ONS; JLL)
🚆 Belfast Rapid Transport 2 edges forward, construction targeted for 2027
Northern Ireland’s Department for Infrastructure has confirmed continued progress on the Belfast Rapid Transport 2 (BRT2) project, with construction now planned for 2027 subject to securing funding solutions. The update reinforces BRT2 as a medium-term opportunity in Belfast’s transport pipeline, contingent on budget decisions and business case approvals. For contractors and consultants, it signals a likely future competition but also the need to track evolving funding and procurement strategies. (Source: Department for Infrastructure NI)
Also in the news
🏗️ The Greater Cambridge Design and Construction Awards 2026 shortlist has been announced, with winners due on 18 March, spotlighting recent regional best practice in design and delivery. (Source: Cambridge City Council)
🏛️ Entries for the CIHT Infrastructure Award close on 20 February 2026, focusing attention on schemes that demonstrate excellence in transport infrastructure. (Source: CIHT)
🏗️ The British Construction & Infrastructure Awards (BCIA) have opened for entries, offering a national platform for high-profile projects and teams. (Source: ICE)
🌱 Energy storage capacity is set for a boost with the 400MW Kincardine Grid Services Complex and the £200m Medway One Energy Hub both in the 2026 pipeline, reinforcing grid flexibility and transition goals. (Source: Barbour ABI)
🏗️ Residential and mixed-use growth nodes such as Paddington Triangle over-station development and Trafford Wharf’s £200m housing and student accommodation scheme underline ongoing demand near key transport and employment hubs. (Source: Barbour ABI)
The Daily Build is written for people shaping the UK’s construction and infrastructure pipeline, from boardrooms to site offices. If this briefing is useful for your next bid, investment or programme review, consider forwarding it to your wider team.