Former Labour transport secretary Lord Adonis will head the new National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) that will oversee new significant energy and transport infrastructure.
The Chancellor George Osborne is expected to confirm his appointment at the Conservative party conference later today.
Adonis, one of the original architects of the NIC, will be tasked with ensuring key transport and power projects are delivered as the UK aims to overhaul its aging infrastructure, decarbonise and remain competitive.
Both Crossrail and the proposed new nuclear plant at Hinkley Point will fall under the commission’s remit, projects that could potentially take decades to complete.
A reformer of some repute, Adonis joined the department for transport in 2008 as minister. The following year he was promoted to secretary of state until the change of government in 2010. He then served as director of the Institute for Government, which aims to improve government effectiveness.
Adonis will now resign the Labour whip.
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