Professor Michael McMahon:

Let me clarify. The report makes clear and has a series of very nice charts to show that on measures of public infrastructure across sectors, including transport, education and health, we fall below the median of EU countries. There is definitely a need. We argue that capital stock adjusts over a long period and one cannot just wake up and suddenly increase its level a lot without big implications for value for money. We require a serious plan with clear shovel-ready projects. If we suddenly find there is extra capacity, then we do extra. It is not simply a matter of throwing money at it. Throwing money at it is not good infrastructure planning and that has never been what we have said.