Confusion over quangos

Quangos are operating in a confusing environment that neither government, the public nor these multifarious ‘arm’s length bodies’ completely understand.

 
This is the key finding from a report published by the Institute for Government called Read Before Burning. The findings reveal that while cuts and efficiencies in ALBs are certain and may well be justified, making decisions about how and if they should operate in future must be taken alongside fundamental reform or risk more confusion about their role and value in the future.

Lack of clarity about what they do, how and to whom they are accountable leads to “duplication, policy coordination problems and difficulties achieving the right balance between freedom and control of ALBs” states the report. This effects the quality of the relationships between government departments and their ‘quangos’ – the report found examples of both “micro-management and institutional neglect”.

Institute for Government executive director Lord Bichard said: “We need a sensible, balanced conversation about arm’s length bodies and the pros and cons of their distance and independence from executive control.”

Details about the findings are available at www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

What’s your view about quangos and do they leave you dazed and confused?

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