Business leaders say the UK is on the verge of a golden age of infrastructure development but it must be backed up by a pro-enterprise partnership between government and companies.

Speaking at the National Infrastructure Forum, Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI Director-General, said that the UK has the chance to unlock a boom in infrastructure building, from runways and railways to energy and digital, not seen since the Victorian era.

The CBI business group has welcomed the Government's pre-election commitments to the strategic importance of infrastructure and to seek a push to deliver new homes, easier commutes and a stronger economy.

The CBI says this must be underpinned by an immigration system that both allows investment to flow into the UK and helps get these projects built, at the same time as earning public confidence.

Carolyn Fairbairn (pictured) said: "We have an opportunity, and an urgent need, to turn our attention from the politics of the past five days to the economics of the next five years.

"We need government policies which keep us open to the world, setting out a pro-market, pro-enterprise vision. On Brexit, skills, innovation and - crucially - infrastructure.

"Despite the turmoil, and perhaps even because of it, we have a once in a generation opportunity to transform the infrastructure backbone of our country in ways not seen since Victoria was on the throne.

"It's an opportunity to bridge north and south, to strengthen the arteries that connect communities, to build the homes people so badly need. Infrastructure is at the heart of productivity growth, so across the country this really can be a golden age of infrastructure."

But she added: "No amount of money will matter if we don't have the people who can actually build our roads, homes, runways and railways.

"Look at any number of infrastructure projects and you'll see training schemes dedicated to growing talent right here in the UK. But, even with this, firms are still facing shortages across the board.

"Firms want a managed migration system which restores public confidence. But staying open to the world is part of the solution.

"The new immigration system must let those firms - building HS2 and Heathrow's new runway - get the people they need from around the world. A blunt migration cap is not the answer.

"Instead, the Government should work with business to discuss who is going to build the infrastructure we need, how we train them, and what new model is going to balance the twin needs of public confidence and the needs of our economy."

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