Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Sir Keir Starmer more trusted than Rishi Sunak to build future infrastructure, poll reveals

More than half the people polled said (52 per cent) the UK does not build enough sources of clean energy

Joe Middleton
Wednesday 05 June 2024 19:43 BST
Comments
HS2 workers wave flags from the boring machine Cecelia following its break through after digging the longest tunnel in the HS2 project, completing its 10-mile journey under the Chiltern Hills
HS2 workers wave flags from the boring machine Cecelia following its break through after digging the longest tunnel in the HS2 project, completing its 10-mile journey under the Chiltern Hills (Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir Keir Starmer is more trusted by the British people than Rishi Sunak the modern infrastructure that Britain needs in the future built, a new poll has revealed.

The research, commissioned by pro-growth campaign group Britain Remade, found that the Labour leader was 2 to 1 over the prime minister (34 per cent to 16 per cent) to deliver projects such as new homes and transport schemes.

Britons also think the country doesn’t build enough. The poll, carried out by Opinium, found that more than half (52 per cent) of voters said we don’t build enough sources of clean energy.

Another half (49 per per cent) say we don’t build enough transport links and just under half (45 per cent) agree that the UK doesn’t build enough new homes in and around major cities.

The findings were revealed as Britain Remade released its plan, that includes 64 policies, to get the country building again.

As part of the plans, the campaign group said there needs to be a radical overhaul of current planning rules and regulations.

For example, the campaign group said that it can take up to 13 years for an offshore wind farm to go from being an idea to generating power despite construction only taking two to three years.

Keir Starmer is more trusted than Rishi Sunak to deliver infrastructure projects
Keir Starmer is more trusted than Rishi Sunak to deliver infrastructure projects (Getty Images)

And in terms of nuclear power, Britain Remade said a future government could slash the cost and time it takes to build new nuclear power stations, by getting regulators to automatically approve designs already given the green-light by the US and the EU.

The group said this would allow a future Labour government to prioritise clean energy projects, housebuilding and new transport infrastructure.

Sam Richards, founder and campaign director of Britain Remade, said: “When it comes to who is trusted to build the infrastructure Britain desperately needs, Keir Starmer has a commanding lead over the PM.

“But it is not enough for the Labour leader to be simply trusted to get building, he needs a practical plan so he can deliver on his ambitions.

“To get spades in the ground a new Labour government will need to tackle head-on Britain’s outdated planning system to unlock the benefits of cheap, clean power; warm, energy efficient homes and the transport links that connect communities to well paid jobs.

“Our plan will deliver just that. By adopting it Sir Keir and his ministers will have a plan that would mean they could hit the ground running on day one.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in