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National Infrastructure Commission

Non-ministerial government department overview
Formed	5 October 2015 (as a non-ministerial government department) (5 October 2015 (as a non-ministerial government department)) 27 October 2016 (as an executive agency of HM Treasury) (27 October 2016 (as an executive agency of HM Treasury))
Jurisdiction	United Kingdom
Annual budget	Unknown
Non-ministerial government department executives	Sir John Armitt, Chairman Phil Graham, Chief Executive
Parent Non-ministerial government department	HM Treasury
Website	www.nic.org.uk

The UK National Infrastructure Commission was established on 5 October 2015 as the non-ministerial government department responsible for providing expert advice to HM Government on the pressing infrastructure challenges facing the United Kingdom.^[1] One of its main tasks is to undertake a national infrastructure assessment during each Parliament, make recommendations to the government and then monitor the government's response.

Chancellor George Osborne appointed Lord Adonis as interim chairman.^[2] On 27 October the commission was established as an executive agency of HM Treasury.^[3] On 21 April 2017, Lord Adonis and Sir John Armitt were confirmed as the first permanent chair and deputy chair respectively, and four new commissioners were appointed.^[4] Lord Adonis resigned in December 2017 citing concerns over Brexit and was replaced by former Deputy Chair Sir John Armitt. ^[5]

Commissioners

• 
  Sir John Armitt – serves as chair


• Dame Kate Barker
  


• Professor Tim Besley
  


• Professor David Fisk
  


• Andy Green


• Demis Hassabis


• Sadie Morgan


• Julia Prescot


• 
  Bridget Rosewell^[6]

Secretariat

As well as the commissioners, the commission has about 35 people who work in the secretariat: made up of civil servants, including economists and policy generalists, as well as secondees from industry.

National infrastructure assessment

One of its main tasks is to undertake a national infrastructure assessment each parliament, making recommendations to the Government and then hold the Government to account on implementation. It published the Interim National Infrastructure Assessment on 13 October 2017.^[7]

Reports

As part of its work, the commission has published several reports on infrastructure in the UK as well as recommendations for its improvement.

Smart Power

The first report looked into the UK energy market, exploring how supply and demand can better be balanced as well as making recommendations for future infrastructure programs.^[8][9]

Transport for a World City

The second report explored options for improving transport within and around the London area and strongly advocated the construction of Crossrail 2 as its main proposal.^[10]

High Speed North

This report explored options for improving connectivity across the North of England. Options include High Speed 3, upgrades to the motorway network, investment in conventional railways and a new Trans-pennine Tunnel.^[11]

Connected Future

Connected Future explored what the UK needs to do to become a world leader in 5G deployment and take early advantage of the potential applications of 5G services. The commission found that Britain was 54th in the world for 4G and that the UK government and the communications regulator, Ofcom, needed to ensure that essential outdoor mobile services, such as basic, text and data use, were available all across the UK. In anticipation of 5G, the UK had to improve mobile connectivity on railways, roads and in towns and cities.^[12]

Future reports

In November 2016, the government asked the commission to conduct a new study on how technology can improve infrastructure productivity.^[13]

References