On current trends the population for the UK will reach 70 million in 2027. Over a period of 20 years it will have risen by the same amount it increased in the previous 60. Unless this is going to be stopped, and it is hard to see how it will be, then it is incumbent on the Government to provide the schools, road and hospitals to cope with the numbers. Recent experience of Westminster’s capacity for long-term planning does not leave much room for encouragement.