Could SIPP investment in infrastructure help boost UK economy?

Self invested pension plans (SIPPs) could take a leaf out of the institutional book, by investing in the UK’s infrastructure, say Rowanmoor Pensions.

In today's Autumn Statement, chancellor George Osborne unveiled plans to pour £20 billion of institutional pension funds into building roads, rails and schools, under the mantra "British savings for British jobs."

Head of pensions technical services Robert Graves questioned whether there was scope for individuals to invest in these projects.

With the decline of final salary schemes, Graves hoped there was "a continued emphasis on people locking money away into long-term pension savings which would give opportunities for long term-investment."

He added: "It would be interesting to see what mechanisms they put in place for individuals to invest in British projects than elsewhere. Obviously they've got to weigh up the return but it would be interesting to see if the self-invested market could participate.

"If tangible moveable regulations were reformed, there could be an opportunity for those wanting to balance their retirement savings with satisfying an "ethical responsibility by investing into things that will help the UK."