Wes Streeting, a prominent figure within the Labour Party and a potential future leadership contender, is poised to unveil radical proposals for emergency legislation designed to fast-track the construction of new power plants, wind farms, and data centres across the UK.
The plans, set to be detailed in a speech on Tuesday, aim to significantly accelerate major infrastructure projects to stimulate economic growth.
The Labour former health secretary’s team has reportedly begun drafting Bills to implement these fast-tracking measures, positioning them as central to his economic vision should he challenge for the party’s top job.
Ahead of his address, Mr Streeting stated: "We used to be a country that could do great things. With the promise that the next generation can have it better than the last. We still can. And I want to give people reason to believe again."
He added, "If Parliament can act in days to save British Steel, it can act with urgency to save Britain’s future prosperity."
He criticised past administrations, saying: "Successive governments have been sleeping, while Britain’s crying out for action. I will pass emergency laws to build data centres, nuclear power generation, transport infrastructure connecting people with jobs, and more." He concluded, "We still can build the infrastructure to grow our economy, we have to, and – if I become Prime Minister – we will."
Under his proposals, infrastructure projects would receive "decision in principle" consent via parliamentary Bills, with environmental concerns and consultations addressed subsequently.
This approach would bypass the often protracted planning processes that currently precede construction on large-scale developments, citing the delayed Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant as an example. Entire categories of nationally significant projects, including reservoirs and transport schemes, could be exempted from individual planning applications.
Mr Streeting will also advocate for an increase in high-skilled immigration, aiming to recruit 20,000 scientists, engineers, and AI experts globally. Furthermore, he intends to support the progression of two stalled North Sea drilling projects, Rosebank and Jackdaw, suggesting that tax revenues from these fields should fund cheaper energy initiatives like heat pumps and insulation.
His speech comes just two days before the Makerfield by-election, where Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, another potential challenger to Sir Keir Starmer, is seeking a return to Parliament.
