Vince Cable is to launch today Liberal Democrat proposals for a National Infrastructure Bank.

In a speech at The Civilisation Congress 2009, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor will point out that the UK has one of the worst records for infrastructure investment in the OECD, and argue that there is an urgent need for a step change in infrastructure investment. Investment in infrastructure would create jobs, increase competitiveness, promote environmental sustainability and boost the economic recovery.

The creation of a National Infrastructure Bank – leveraging public funds with private capital – is the vehicle with which to do this, he will argue.