Public works programmes paid for out of budget deficits are is usually referred to as a "Keynsian" policy. There is no shortage of potential projects in Britain. The difficulties are that such schemes often have a long lead time between conception and commencement on the ground, and may also call for specialists who are either in short supply or need to be trained to do the job. Subject to that proviso, there is a long list of infrastructure projects that the country needs, which would lay in the foundations for continued prosperity in the future. Amongst the possibilities which could be initiated at relatively short notice are
- Use of wind, wave, tidal and solar power for electricity generation
- Installation of national fibre-optic communications network
- Intiation of rolling programme of railway electrification and gauge enhancement to accommodate modern standard shipping containers.
- Reinstatement of railways closed or converted to single track in the 1960s.
- Construction of the Liverpool, Leeds, London and Hampshire area tramways, presently deferred on grounds of cost.
- Construction of Crossrail, deferred due to cost.
What should not happen is that the spending to reduce unemployment is squandered in worthless job creation schemes. There is no need to "create" jobs. The work is there to be done, and if it is, then real wealth will be created.
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