Bosses back creation of infrastructure board

摘要

The chief executive of Atkins' UK business has backed calls for an independent infrastructure commission to give 'strong advice' to ministers on key decisions. Speaking to The MJ, David Tonkin said the idea of an independent commission, which was recommended in July by former Olympic Delivery Authority chair Sir John Armitt in his final report, was a 'cracking idea'. 'There needs to be somebody who overarches all these [infrastructure] schemes, understands the interfaces between them and can give solid advice to government about what is the right thing to do,' said Mr Tonkin. 'You can't de-politicise it, but what you can do is construct a body that is authoritative, has good data and gives strong advice.' Earlier this month, the CBI published a survey of business leaders, which showed overwhelming support (89%) for such a commission.