[3][4] Inaugurated in 2015, and established as an executive agency of HM Treasury in January 2017, one of its main tasks is to undertake a national infrastructure assessment during each Parliament.

The Commission is the body responsible for providing independent analysis and advice to the Government to ensure the UK meets its long-term infrastructure needs.

[14] The commissioners are supported by about 40 people who work in the secretariat, made up of civil servants, including economists and policy generalists, as well as secondees from industry.

The first report, published in March 2016, looked into the UK energy market, exploring how supply and demand can better be balanced as well as making recommendations for future infrastructure programmes.

[26] Published ahead of the National Infrastructure Assessment, this study set out the Commission’s advice on how to address England’s water supply challenges and deliver the appropriate level of resilience for the long term.

[27] This study identified actions to enable UK’s freight networks to meet growing demands for fast deliveries and reduce their impact on congestion and the environment.

[28] In October 2018, the government asked the Commission to conduct a new study into regulation of the UK's energy, telecoms and water industries, to ensure the necessary levels of investment and innovation.

[30] The study considered what action government should take to ensure that the UK’s infrastructure can cope with future changes, disruptions, shocks and accidents.