Labour demands infrastructure quango to determine spending
LABOUR would set up a new quango tasked with ensuring Britain takes long term decision on infrastructure investment, the party has announced today.
Sir John Armitt, the man tasked with delivering the venues and infrastructure for the London 2012 Olympics, was commissioned by the Labour leadership to review the UK’s investment plans.
He has concluded that Britain needs an independent commission – appointed by government and opposition parties – to identify the UK’s long-term infrastructure needs in areas such as energy, transport and flood defences.
Under the proposal, the commission would carry out a wide-ranging infrastructure review every decade. Parliament would then have to decide whether to accept its recommendations. The commission would then be tasked with making sure they were implemented.
“An infrastructure fit for the future must now be a national priority alongside education and health,” Armitt said.