Think-tank calls for radical quango cuts
The number of non-elected bodies carrying out government functions needs to be drastically reduced, according to a report published today by the right-leaning Centre for Policy Studies.
The Essential Guide to British Quangos claims that 117 new quangos (quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations) have been created since Labour came to power.
Putting the total number now at 529, it claims that many are duplicating each other’s functions and crowding out work already done by charities.
Report author Dan Lewis called for an enquiry to look at abolishing the most “useless bodies” and a limit on the number of quangos that each government department was allowed to establish.
Top of his list of the ten “most useless” was the British Potato Council. He said its existence was “surprising” and claimed: “Few British potato consumers would feel that their life was blighted if the BPC were to disappear.”
But the council said the report was unfair. A spokeswoman told politics.uk it was wrong to imply that any taxpayer money was spent on the council, saying: “We’re obviously funded from a levy on potato growers and purchasers, we’re not funded by the Government.”
Mr Lewis said he found a “huge duplication of effort” – particularly in areas such as the environment, energy sport and tourism.
He also recommended a five-year limit on central quangos after which they would have to re-apply for funding and “transparent” funding arrangements for all quangos, which would include the cost of seconded civil servants within a single annual public funds expenditure figure.
Liberal Democrat spokesman Ed Davey said that the report was thoroughly welcome.
He argued that: “For over two decades, under both Tory and Labour Governments, these unaccountable agencies have mushroomed.
“Liberal Democrats would abolish many, merge others, and make any that remain properly accountable.”
He added: “Labour promised a bonfire of the quangos, but instead delivered an explosion.”
The Conservatives deregulation spokesman John Redwood said that today’s report represented a vindication of his party’s policies to abolish 162 quangos. He said: “Their research endorses our policy of destroying unwanted and unnecessary quangos, and slimming down the rest. Their list of 529 quangos, 111 established under this present Government, shows just how massive this activity now is.”
Mr Redwood added: “A Conservative government will axe 162 quangos, as part of its drive for more efficient and more accountable government. That is the way to deliver lower taxes and more democracy to public life.”
