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Infrastructure UK facts for kids

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Infrastructure UK (IUK) was a special team within the HM Treasury, which is like the UK government's finance department. From 2010 to 2016, IUK helped the UK government plan for big projects like new roads, railways, and power plants. They also gave expert advice to make sure these projects were built well and efficiently.

On January 1, 2016, Infrastructure UK joined forces with another group called the Major Projects Authority. Together, they became the Infrastructure and Projects Authority. This new group now reports to both the HM Treasury and the Cabinet Office, which is a key part of the government. Geoffrey Spence was the head of Infrastructure UK.

Making Big Projects More Affordable

In June 2010, the government announced that Infrastructure UK would look into how to make large construction projects cheaper. These projects, often called civil engineering works, can be very expensive. IUK's job was to find ways to reduce costs without lowering quality.

This investigation happened between August and December 2010. Infrastructure UK worked with other government departments. They also teamed up with experts from the Institution of Civil Engineers and companies in the construction industry. Their goal was to find smart ways to save money on big national projects.

Expert Advice for Infrastructure UK

Infrastructure UK had an important group called the Advisory Council. This council met every three months to give advice. It was led by Paul Skinner, who used to be in charge of a big mining company called Rio Tinto.

The council was made up of many experienced people. These included top officials from different government departments, like the Treasury, the Department for Transport, and the Department for Business. There were also important leaders from private companies and universities. They all shared their knowledge to help Infrastructure UK make good decisions about the country's future projects.

Some of the members included:

  • Top officials from government departments like the Treasury and the DFT.
  • Leaders from big companies, such as 3i and Balfour Beatty Plc.
  • Experts in climate change and energy, like the Chief Executive of National Grid.
  • University leaders, like the Vice Chancellor of the University of Sheffield.

This mix of people from government, business, and education helped IUK get a wide range of ideas and advice.

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