The Abundance Agenda

Michael Dnes, a consultant at Stonehaven and former Department for Transport employee, shares his insights on infrastructure planning. He tackles the myth of land-banking, highlighting systemic issues in the housing market. Dnes reveals fascinating tales, including how a nuclear plant was approved in just three days. The conversation delves into the challenges of expediting projects while maintaining thorough planning, and examines the evolving landscape of road construction and its historical context.

On The Abundance Agenda this week:* Martin digs into the Ten Year Plan for the NHS (which is more important than whether Rachel Reeves was smiling) – and we get mad at the stupid moralising about the use of weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic.* James explains why the innocuous new GOV.UK app is actually a major step towards the total transformation of the British state.* And we speak to Ant Breach from the Centre for Cities about his recent report on housing supply bottlenecks – and how to fix them.James’s exhaustive piece digging into the digital government blueprint is here.Martin’s latest on the unfixable road with no owner is here.James’s latest, on how Universal Credit went from being a disaster to a wild success is here.The Abundance Agenda is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and hopefully wherever you get your podcasts!You can find James on Bluesky here, and Martin here.00:27 The NHS 10-Year Plan: Context and Challenges01:41 The Infinite Demand for Health02:32 The Rising Costs and Limits of NHS Spending05:57 The Government's New 10-Year Plan for the NHS06:53 Principles of the New NHS Plan07:26 The Cost of Healthcare and the Importance of Early Intervention13:16 The Role of Digital Transformation in the NHS15:40 The Controversy and Potential of Weight Loss Drugs26:15 The Gov UK App: A New Era of Digital Government31:45 Introduction to the Digital Government Blueprint32:33 Richard Pope's Vision for Digital Government33:05 The Gov UK App: A New Relationship with the State34:05 Potential Benefits and Concerns of the Gov UK App35:24 Future Implications of the Gov UK App35:49 Privacy and Civil Liberties Concerns36:14 New Features and Functions of the Gov UK App38:00 The Role of Databases in Government Efficiency39:16 Housekeeping and Substack Newsletters40:26 Interview with Ant Breach on Urban Housing and Regulations42:19 The Future of Urban Planning and Building Regulations58:43 Controversial Ideas in Urban Housing01:01:05 Conclusion and Listener Engagement This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.abundancepod.com

On The Abundance Agenda this week:* James looks at the government’s new attempt to make phone signal on trains better – and explore why getting reliable 4G and 5G on the rails is a really difficult problem.* Martin reveals why the Office of National Statistics might have inadvertently broken a whole bunch of economic statistics – and why this is bad if you care about knowing what is actually happening in the country.* And we speak to Labour MP and the government’s Growth Mission Champion Dan Tomlinson about why we need to build, the importance of growth if we want to redistribute wealth – and we try (with limited success) to sell him on the idea that we should make Abundance the guiding philosophy of Starmerism.The alarming review of the ONS by Sir Robert Devereux is here.James’s post on what the NHS can learn from Dave.Martin’s post on HS2 and the slow decay of Britain.The Abundance Agenda is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and hopefully wherever you get your podcasts!You can find James on Bluesky here, and Martin here.00:26 Controversial Opinions of Matt Goodwin01:59 The Reality of Phone Signals on British Trains02:16 Government Initiatives to Improve Train Connectivity03:16 Challenges with Train Signal Technology07:04 Comparing UK and French Train Connectivity11:19 Future of Train Connectivity: HS2 and Beyond15:31 The Role of the Office for National Statistics25:21 Chasing New Projects Over Core Work26:47 The Human Element in Official Statistics27:47 Impact of the Pandemic on ONS29:10 Leadership and Culture Issues at ONS30:20 Future of UK Statistics and Management32:15 Promoting the Podcast and Substack34:09 Interview with MP Dan Tomlinson38:14 Dan Tomlinson's Political Journey41:11 Challenges and Solutions for UK Growth52:08 The Abundance Agenda55:43 Conclusion and Farewell This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.abundancepod.com

Tom Forth, a technologist and co-founder of The Data City, shares his insights on the failures of the HS2 project, highlighting governance missteps and budget blowouts. He discusses the idea of a National Data Library to improve data management in the UK and the need for transparency in data governance. Additionally, the conversation touches on the advancements in autonomous vehicle technology and its potential socioeconomic impacts. Forth's unique perspective on data utilization and infrastructure challenges sparks engaging dialogue throughout.

On The Abundance Agenda this week:* James is vindicated as Sizewell C has finally been funded!* Martin digs into the economics of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)* We explore the implications of Rachel Reeves supporting Northern Powerhouse Rail* …And James enters ‘The Cope Zone’ and explains how maybe – just maybe – the northern leg of HS2 might not be quite dead yet* Plus we speak to Kirsty Innes from Labour Together about her new policy paper, “BritCard: a progressive digital identity for Britain” – and explore how digital ID could make Britain work better.The grid website Martin mentions is here.You can find James’s howl of despair about the slow pace of infrastructure here.Martin’s piece on Natural England will be here.And James’s piece on why he’s been Blairpilled on digital ID will be here.If you’d like to talk business, you can contact us on martin (at) abundancemedia.co.ukThe Abundance Agenda is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and hopefully wherever you get your podcasts!You can find James on Bluesky here, and Martin here.00:16 The NIMBY Debate and Hate Speech03:00 Nuclear Energy Announcements08:00 The Economics of Renewable Energy17:41 Small Modular Reactors: The Future of Nuclear?21:31 Transport Spending Review26:37 Northern Powerhouse Rail and Economic Connectivity27:28 Economic Theory and Football Teams27:53 Trans Pennine Railway Upgrade28:16 Impact of Railway Upgrades on Travel Times30:33 Northern Powerhouse Rail and HS231:52 Funding and Budget Considerations33:33 Podcast Housekeeping and Listener Engagement36:34 Introduction to Brit Card39:49 Digital Identity and Government Services48:24 Addressing Criticisms of Brit Card53:51 Conclusion and Contact Information This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.abundancepod.com

On The Abundance Agenda this week:* Martin digs into the NIMBY assault on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which is back in Parliament this week.* We get mad at the Guardian and Natural England (again).* We explore the big Abundance question at the heart of the Spending Review.* And in a surprisingly candid interview, former Conservative cabinet minister Sir Simon Clarke makes the case for why his party needs to embrace building – or face irrelevance.You can find the slightly spartan Conservative YIMBY website here, and Sir Simon’s think-tank Onward here.The Centre for British Progress’s new paper, “The Case for Abundance: Why Demand Suppression Won’t Fix the Cost of Living” is here.You can find James’s piece slagging off Matt Goodwin here.And Martin’s controversial piece on crime is here.The Abundance Agenda is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and hopefully wherever you get your podcasts!You can find James on Bluesky here, and Martin here.00:34 NIMBYism and Environmental Concerns04:48 Natural England's Role and Challenges10:33 Planning Reforms and Housing Crisis14:02 Spending Review and Political Trade-offs20:32 Balancing Short-term and Long-term Investments24:14 Housekeeping and Substack Newsletters24:51 Discussing Crime and Controversies25:43 Introducing the Guest: Sir Simon Clark26:40 The YIMBY Campaign and Housing Crisis27:54 Planning Infrastructure Bill: Eight Quick Fixes28:41 Political Challenges and Housing Policies41:30 Devolution and Local Government43:50 Treasury Brain and Economic Growth48:16 Concluding Thoughts and Personal Projects This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.abundancepod.com

On a packed episode of The Abundance Agenda this week:* James and Martin run through five reasons to be optimistic, including the exciting news that the government has taken control of the planning powers for two major new reservoirs.* James heads to Old Oak Common, the massive new HS2 station in West London, and speaks to HS2 Station Delivery Director Huw Edwards about progress inside the 1.8km “station box”.* Then Martin explores the story of Skegness – and talks about how its 19th century success started with its infrastructure, and how its modern lack of infrastructure is helping Reform win votes.* And finally, we speak to Labour MP Antonia Bance about how to build good quality housing, the opportunities of industrial policy – and whether an ‘Abundance’ mindset can ever be politically popular.You can find James’s piece “Why I still believe in HS2” here.You can find Martin’s piece… whatever it is going to be this week… here.The report we talk about by Michael Dnes on missing roads is here.The Abundance Agenda is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and hopefully wherever you get your podcasts!You can find James on Bluesky here, and Martin here.00:00 Introduction to the Abundance Agenda Podcast00:38 Top Signs of Progress: New Reservoirs03:09 Water Leaks and Infrastructure Challenges07:45 Planning Reforms: Heat Pumps and EV Chargers11:14 Railway Developments: HS2 and Great British Rail18:19 A Visit to Skegness: Seaside Towns and Infrastructure32:21 Government Failures and Local Issues33:09 Staycations vs. Holidays33:46 Podcast Housekeeping34:24 Crowdfunders and Substack Topics35:32 Listener Feedback on Local Plans38:34 Interview with Antonia Bance: Housing and Public Services47:59 Building More Homes: Affordable vs. Private52:45 Skills Crisis and Industrial Strategy01:01:42 Trade Unions and Technological Change01:06:10 The Abundance Agenda: Political Popularity01:10:14 Closing Remarks and Future Episodes This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.abundancepod.com

On The Abundance Agenda this week, Martin explores new research which reveals that the planning system is – amazingly – even more dysfunctional than we thought. Then James digs into some new polling from Ipsos, which reveals that a plurality of people are actually supportive of building new homes.Then we have an update on the National Parking Platform, which we swear is more interesting than it sounds. And finally, we speak to Ben Johnson from the Centre for British Progress about his new paper, Security and Prosperity: Building UK Defence Innovation.The Abundance Agenda is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and hopefully wherever you get your podcasts!You can find James on Bluesky here, and Martin here.James’s piece explaining why the National Parking Platform is cool is here.Martin’s latest on bins is here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.abundancepod.com

On The Abundance Agenda this week, James explains why buses are cool – and shares depressing news about what appears to be another delay to HS2.Then Martin digs deep into a new report packed with ideas for increasing Britain’s housing supply. The secret? More air conditioning and smaller homes!And finally, we speak to writer, comedian and prolific podcaster Andrew Hunter Murray about the phenomenon of empty houses… and why they are actually good.The Abundance Agenda is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and hopefully wherever you get your podcasts!You can find James on Bluesky here, and Martin here.You can find Andrew Hunter Murray’s novel, A Beginner’s Guide to Breaking and Entering here. He’s also on the Private Eye Podcast, No Such Thing As A Fish, and The Naked Week.The report Breaking the Bottlenecks by Centre for Cities can be found here.James’s unwise wading in on Blue Labour and the politics of immigration is here.Martin’s latest post about the nature of diagnosis is here.Liz’s post on why we need seven bins is here.00:00 Introduction to the Abundance Agenda Podcast00:35 The Struggles of Non-London Bus Services01:31 Exciting News: West Yorkshire's Weaver Network03:02 The Future of Bus Franchising in the UK06:40 HS2: Costs and Delays12:34 Challenges in Building More Housing15:56 The Debate on Air Conditioning and Flat Sizes28:45 Substack News and Housekeeping30:38 Introducing Our Guest: Andrew Hunter Murray31:34 Andrew's Obsession with Second Homes32:46 The Second Home Situation in the UK35:12 Potential Solutions to the Housing Crisis37:33 The Impact of Second Home Ownership Policies39:36 Incremental Changes and Taxation46:01 Gentle Density and Housing Solutions52:19 Political Viability of Abundance Ideas55:38 Conclusion and Podcast Promotion This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.abundancepod.com

On this week’s Abundance Agenda, we discuss Sadiq Khan’s dramatic YIMBY U-turn, announcing this week that London needs to build on its green belt – and why the real villains are London’s golf courses.Then we dig into the failure to build a massive new North Sea wind farm – and wonder what the changing economics of wind mean for the government’s 2030 Net Zero grid pledge.And finally, we speak to Sam Richards, CEO of Britain Remade, about his new report making the case for several new ideas to improve the planning system – and how these ideas could benefit not just the pointy-headed wonks, but British workers too.The Abundance Agenda is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and hopefully wherever you get your podcasts!You can find James on Bluesky here, and Martin here.You can find James’s piece on why Tony Blair is right about climate here.And Martin’s piece on the nature of diagnosis here.00:00 Introduction to the Abundance Agenda00:26 London's Housing Crisis and the Green Belt03:55 The Reality of London's Green Belt05:25 Golf Courses and Urban Development10:28 Political Will and Transit-Based Development12:21 Opposition to the Green Belt Push17:36 Challenges in Wind Farm Development23:48 Future of Nuclear Energy Projects24:23 Challenges in Achieving Net Zero25:20 Government's Role in Nuclear Commitment26:08 Wind Farms and Inflation26:46 Housekeeping and Substack Updates28:25 Interview with Sam Richards29:01 Planning Reforms for Net Zero32:53 Estate Renewal Passports36:30 New Towns and Housing Expansion38:49 Nuclear Power Plant Regulations46:12 Environmental Rules and Clean Energy49:07 Local Support for Infrastructure Projects52:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.abundancepod.com