Scottish Government defines infrastructure as:

“The physical and technical facilities, and fundamental systems necessary for the economy to function and to enable, sustain or enhance societal living conditions. These include the networks, connections and storage relating to enabling infrastructure of transport, energy, water, telecoms, digital and internet, to permit the ready movement of people, goods and services. They include the built environment of housing; public infrastructure such as education, health, justice and cultural facilities; safety enhancement such as waste management or flood prevention; and public services such as emergency services and resilience.”

This independent Infrastructure Commission for Scotland (ICS) will support Scottish Government’s delivery of its National Infrastructure Mission and the development of its next Infrastructure Investment Plan to run until 2023.

The ICS will advise on the key strategic and early foundation investments that are needed to significantly boost economic growth and support the delivery of Scotland’s low carbon objectives and achievement of its climate change targets.

The Advisory Commission will report on infrastructure ambitions and priorities by the end of 2019, and may make interim recommendations e.g. around guiding principles supporting the evolution of a coherent Infrastructure Investment Plan across sectors.

It is anticipated that a following six-month period will be required to consider advice and recommendations to ministers on the delivery of infrastructure in Scotland, including the possible creation of a Scottish National Infrastructure Company.