Head of Policy & Public Affairs at UK Youth. Areas of interest include education, sustainability and fighting the climate crisis, policy development, the youth sector and stakeholder engagement.
Concern at ‘extremely damaging’ Government cuts to support for vulnerable young people
UK Youth has warned the Government must support young people after a “worrying” Spring Statement. Laura Cunliffe-Hall, UK Youth head of policy and public affairs, said: “Today’s Spring Statement is a worrying indication of things to come for young people."
UK Youth urges Government to spend on youth work
UK Youth has urged the Government to invest in youth work – and reap the financial and social benefits long-term in its Spending Review submission.
Laura Cunliffe-Hall, UK Youth head of policy and public affairs, said: “Investment in youth service infrastructure is a necessary and high-value intervention that will deliver long-term economic and social benefits. Strategic investment in youth services reduces pressure on acute public services, including mental health, criminal justice, education, and welfare."
ICE response to Invest 2035: the UK’s modern industrial strategy
The UK government has committed to creating a new industrial strategy. Titled ‘Invest 2035’, it focuses on four central missions for the Labour government.
The proposed strategy aims to address economic and environmental challenges and prepare the UK for future opportunities.
I led on the ICE's response to the consultation.
The ICE responded to the consultation as an individual organisation and collectively as part of the National Engineering Policy Centre (NEPC).
5 ways the UK can better adapt to climate change
The new UK government has promised bolder action on climate resilience. But what should this look like? I analyse the outcome from the judicial review relating to the third National Adaptation Strategy.
Presidential Roundtable summary - How to design an effective industrial strategy for infrastructure delivery
The UK government has committed to creating a new industrial strategy.
In recent years, various governments have adopted industrial strategies to foster growth, enhance competitiveness, and guide their countries through transition.
There has been a stop-start approach to industrial strategy in the UK over the last 10 years, which has had limited success.
I led on a roundtable write up featuring the ICE's new President and cross-sector experts discussing what it takes to deliver a successful industrial strategy.
ICE representation to Autumn Budget 2024
I drafted the ICE’s representation to the 2024 Autumn Budget focused on key areas relating to infrastructure.
ICE submission to the Environmental Audit Committee on water quality in rivers
The ICE welcomes the Environmental Audit Committee’s follow-up evidence session to the impactful 2022 report on water quality in rivers. I submitted evidence to the Committee on key priorities to improve water quality.
IPW: climate risks to energy supply, and infrastructure’s role in reducing poverty
In this week’s Infrastructure Policy Watch, the state of energy in the last year, and how infrastructure can address inequality.
6 infrastructure takeaways from the Labour Party’s largest conference in history
This year’s Labour Party Conference, the party’s first since coming to power in 2024, had the largest attendance in its history. I attended on behalf of the ICE and analyzed the key takeaways for infrastructure.
ICE submission on proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework
I led on the ICE’s response to the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
What does the new Labour government mean for infrastructure – and what are the ICE’s priorities for engagement?
Laura Cunliffe-Hall is Lead Policy Manager in the ICE’s Policy and External Affairs team. She discusses the ICE’s plans for engaging the new government and the announcements of note for infrastructure and development in a briefing for Civil Engineering journal.
Financing and funding net zero – the 3 things that need to happen next
Following the ICE’s Next Steps programme on financing net zero, I examine the progress made to unlock investment across the financial sector.
Presidential Roundtable summary: how do governments strengthen infrastructure’s climate resilience?
In 2024, infrastructure systems globally are under unprecedented pressure.
Assets are increasingly unable to cope with extreme heat, cold, wind, rain, and drought. June 2024 marked the twelfth consecutive month of global average temperatures exceeding 1.5 degrees.
To examine the impact that climate change is having on infrastructure across the world, the ICE convened an online roundtable with international climate adaptation experts and infrastructure professionals.
ICE submission to the UK Department for Transport consultation on climate adaptation
The UK’s Department for Transport has published a climate adaptation strategy for the transport sector. The strategy aims to improve adaptation planning and action, and improve climate resilience in the transport system.
I led the ICE's response to the strategy, focusing on helping transport infrastructure operators (TIOs) to meet the scale of the resilience challenge.
7 infrastructure takeaways from the 2024 Conservative Party manifesto
The Conservative Party has published its general election manifesto. What would the Conservatives remaining in government mean for infrastructure?
Conservative leader Rishi Sunak launched the party’s 2024 general election manifesto on 11 June 2024.
The 76-page document outlines the Conservative’s plans to “deliver a more secure future” for the UK.
Lead Policy Manager Laura Cunliffe-Hall outlines seven key takeaways and what it would mean for infrastructure if the Conservatives remain in government.