Bonfire of the quangos

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A number of non-departmental government bodies / quangos have been named as being up for abolition, merger or absorption into parent departments, as part of the Coalition Government's Spending Review, due this autumn. This has been widely dubbed in the press as a "bonfire of the quangos".

The list of quangos up for review is still being compiled, and there have been a number of clarifications, amendments and retractions as further details come to light.

As dates are confirmed and necessary legislation made, these should be copied into Current events.

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

from 14th October list
Public Body Proposed Reforms
ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a function which requires impartiality
Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Arbitration Tribunal No longer an NDPB - Abolish body and functions
British Hallmarking Council Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should be independent of Government. Functions to be modified to enable more efficient operation of the hallmarking system
British Nuclear Fuels Limited No longer a Public Corporation - Abolish body, subject to transferring remaining assets and liabilities
British Shipbuilders No longer a Public Corporation - Abolish body. Remaining functions are already carried out by the department
Capital for Enterprise Limited Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should be independent of Government
Central Arbitration Committee Merge - Merge with Certification Office
Certification Office Merge - Merge with Central Arbitration Committee
Competition Appeals Tribunal Retain - Retain and consider, by July 2011, the case for transferring the sponsorship of the CAT to the MoJ tribunal service
Competition Commission Merge - Government will consult in the new year on a merger with the competition functions of the Office of Fair Trading
Competition Service No longer an NDPB - By April 2011, consider the case for abolition and transfer of functions to MoJs tribunal service
Construction Industry Training Board Under consideration - Complete consideration by November 2010 of transferring body and functions to private sector status
Consumer Focus No longer an NDPB - Government will consider the outcome of ongoing sectoral reviews and consult early next year on proposals to abolish Consumer Focus and transfer its function to Citizens Advice
Copyright Tribunal No longer an NDPB - Subject to final agreement, transfer jurisdiction of this tribunal into MoJ’s tribunal service
Design Council No longer an NDPB - Seek to establish as an independent charity, subject to Privy Council agreement
Export Credit Guarantee Department
This body is a Department in its own right. The Rt Hon Vince Cable is the Secretary of State responsible
Retain - Retain on the grounds of performing a technical function
Export Guarantees Advisory Council
This body reports to the Export Credit Guarantee Department. The Rt Hon Vince Cable is the Secretary of State responsible
Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function
Engineering Construction Industry Training Board Under consideration - Complete consideration by November 2010 of transferring body and functions to private sector status
Film Industry Training Board Under consideration - Complete consideration by November 2010 of transferring body and functions to private sector status
Financial Reporting Council Retain and substantially reform - Remove reliance on Government funding
Hearing Aid Council No longer an NDPB - Abolished in July 2010 and reformed functions transferred to Health Professions Council
HEFCE (Higher Education Funding Council for England) Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a function which requires impartiality
Industrial Development Advisory Board Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent of Government
Insolvency Practitioners Tribunal Under consideration - As part of Insolvency Service consultation on licensing of insolvency practitioners to be issued November 2010
Local Better Regulation Office Under consideration - Primary Authority and other deregulatory functions will be maintained and an appropriate delivery mechanism to provide independent technical expertise will be announced by December
Low Pay Commission Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a function which requires impartiality
NESTA (National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) No longer an NDPB - Seek to establish as an independent charity. Endowment to be held in a separate trust
Ofcom Merge - The postal services regulator, Postcomm, will be merged into Ofcom. Several Ofcom duties will be removed or modified
Office for Fair Access Under consideration - Proposals on the future of the Office for Fair Access will be made in the White Paper on the future strategy for higher education to be published by the end of the year
Office of Fair Trading Merge - Government will consult in the New Year on a merger of OFT's competition functions with the Competition Commission and transfer of consumer and enforcement functions
Office of Manpower Economics Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a function which requires impartiality
Postcomm Merge - Postcomm will be merged with the communications industry regulator - Ofcom
Regional Development Agencies (x 8) No longer an NDPB - RDAs will be abolished and functions which are to be retained will be transferred to central or local government and others, as previously announced
Research Councils (x 7) Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a function which requires impartiality
Royal Mail Holdings Plc Retain - Transfer Royal Mail to private sector over time
SITPRO Ltd No longer an NDPB - Abolished at the end of September and remaining functions transferred to department
Strategic Advisory Board for Intellectual Property No longer an NDPB - Body and some functions abolished, remainder transferred to UK Intellectual Property Office
Student Loans Company Under consideration - Proposals on the future of the Student Loan Company will be made in the White Paper on the future strategy for higher education to be published by the end of the year
Technology Strategy Board Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a function which requires impartiality
UK Atomic Energy Authority Under consideration - Complete by October 2010 consideration of whether functions could be carried out more effectively elsewhere
UK Commission for Employment and Skills Under consideration - Complete review by end of year of core functions and the most appropriate organisational model to deliver a simplified skills landscape across the UK
UKTI (UK Trade International)
This body is a Department in its own right. The Rt Hon Vince Cable is the Secretary of State responsible
Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function
Union Modernisation Fund Supervisory Board No longer an NDPB - Abolish body and function. No further rounds will be held of the Union Modernisation Fund so the work of the Board is complete
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Advisory Body (WAB) No longer an NDPB - Abolished at the end of September and remaining functions transferred to department
  • Earlier announcement: [1], which also listed:
    • seven Regional Industrial Development Boards
    • UfI/Learndirect
    • Learning & Skills Improvement Service
    • Institute for Learning
    • Standards and Verification UK
    • IiP UK

Cabinet Office

All from 14th October announcement
Public Body Propose Reforms
Advisory Committee on Business Appointments Retain - Retain on the grounds of impartiality
Capacitybuilders No longer an NDPB - Alternative delivery for capacity building activity is under review
Central Office of Information Under consideration - Pending a review of Government advertising to be finalised by the end of November
Charity Commission for England and Wales Retain - Retain on the grounds of impartiality
Civil Service Appeal Board No longer an NDPB - Any residual work will be accommodated elsewhere within the Civil Service. It is likely to take 12 months to wind down the current workload
Commission for the Compact No longer an NDPB - The functions of the Commission for the Compact (to champion and promote the Compact) will be carried out by Compact Voice and the Cabinet Office respectively
Committee on Standards in Public Life Retain - Retain on the grounds of impartiality
Government Strategic Marketing Advisory Board No longer an NDPB - GSMAB is no longer an Internal Advisory Committee – any remaining function will be passed to the Efficiency and Reform Group
House of Lords Appointments Commission Retain - Retain on the grounds of impartiality
Main Honours Advisory Committee No longer an NDPB - Will remain as an advisory group, administered from within the Cabinet Office
National School of Government Under consideration - The position will be determined by a broader review of civil service learning and development to report by the end of November
Office for Civil Society Advisory Body No longer an NDPB - The Advisory Body will be abolished when the member’s terms of office come to an end on 31/03/11
Security Commission No longer an NDPB - For any breach of security the Government will consider the need for an inquiry, and how it should be conducted
Security Vetting Appeals Panel Retain - Retain on the grounds of impartiality
Senior Salaries Review Body Retain - Retain on the grounds of impartiality

Department for Communities and Local Government

Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)

Department for Education

  • 24/05/2010: Abolition of British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta) [4]
  • 02/06/2010: Abolition of General Teaching Council for England (GTC) [5]
  • Official press release for 14/10/2010: [6]
from 14th October list
Public Body Proposed Reforms
British Educational Communications and Technology Agency No longer an NDPB - Abolish body and transfer some functions to the Department for Education, as previously announced
Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service Under Consideration - Being considered by the Family Justice Review Panel as part of a full review of the family justice system, reporting in 2011
Children's Workforce Development Council Under Consideration - Options being considered with an announcement being made before the end of 2010
General Teaching Council for England No longer an NDPB - Abolish body as part of the Government’s wider plans to streamline and improve arrangements for tackling underperforming teachers, as previously announced
Independent Advisory Group on Teenage Pregnancy No longer an NDPB - Abolish once the existing remit for the group comes to an end in December 2010. Arrangements to be made for access to expert advice to Government as required
National College Under Consideration - Options being considered with an announcement being made before the end of 2010
Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which requires impartiality. Introduce legislation to strengthen governance arrangements
Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which requires impartiality. Reform inspection functions to increase proportionality and reduce burdens
Partnerships for Schools Ltd Under Consideration - Subject to the overarching review of Department for Education’s capital expenditure, to be completed in December 2010
Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency No longer an NDPB - Abolish body and transfer some functions (including key activities such as National Curriculum Tests) to the Department for Education, as previously announced
School Food Trust No longer an NDPB - Abolish NDPB status, but continue as a charity with the potential to become a community interest company
School Support Staff Negotiating Body Under Consideration - Subject to further discussions with employer and union representatives
School Teachers' Review Body Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a function which requires political impartiality
Teachers TV Board of Governors No longer an NDPB - Abolish body and functions
The Office of the Children’s Commissioner Under Consideration - Subject to a formal review to be finalised by the end of November 2010
Training and Development Agency for Schools Under Consideration - Options being considered with an announcement being made before the end of 2010
Young People’s Learning Agency Under Consideration - Subject to education structural reforms

Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC)

  • Official DECC statement [7] - [NB: shown as a boxed text on home page rather than a press release]
Government review of public bodies – 14 October 10
Today the Cabinet Office announced the outcome of the Government review of public bodies, setting out which bodies will be retained, merged or no longer be an NDPB. DECC is closing three bodies and retaining a further nine. The majority of DECC’s public bodies are considered to have met one of the three tests set out to determine whether an arm’s length public body remains the right delivery mechanism, (performing a technical function, requiring political impartiality or needing to act independently to establish facts). Three of DECC’s public bodies will no longer continue - the UK Chemical Weapons Convention National Authority Advisory Committee; Advisory Committee on Carbon Abatement Technologies; and Renewables Advisory Board.
from 14th October list
Public Body Proposed Reforms
Advisory Committee on Carbon Abatement Technologies No longer an NDPB - This body was abolished (body and function) in July 2010
Civil Nuclear Police Authority Retain - Retain on grounds of impartiality
Coal Authority Retain - A decision has been made to retain this body because it needs to act independently. This body is under longer term review by DECC as announced in the 2010 Annual Energy Statement
Committee on Climate Change Retain - Retain on the grounds of the need to act independently
Committee on Radioactive Waste Management Retain - Retain on the grounds of the need to act independently
Fuel Poverty Advisory Group Retain - Retain on the grounds of the need to act independently
Nuclear Decommissioning Authority Retain - Retain on the grounds of performing a technical function
Nuclear Liabilities Fund Retain - Retain on the grounds of performing a technical function
Nuclear Liability Financing Assurance Board Retain - Retain on the grounds of performing a technical function
Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) Retain - Retain on the grounds of impartiality. This body is under review by DECC as announced in the 2010 Annual Energy Statement
Renewables Advisory Board No longer an NDPB - Abolish body and function
UK Chemical Weapons Convention National Authority Advisory Committee No longer an NDPB - Abolish body and function. Options for retaining stakeholder input in this area are being considered

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)

  • Main announcement: [8]
  • Defra will carry out this as part of the Public Bodies Reform Bill
  • To be abolished:
    • Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution
    • Agricultural Wages Board
    • the 15 Agricultural Wages Committees
    • the 16 Agricultural Dwelling House Advisory Committees
    • Committee on Agricultural Valuation
    • Inland Waterways Advisory Council
    • Commons Commissioners
    • Defra is also withdrawing funding from the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC)


Department for International Development (DfID)

from 14th October list
Public Body Proposed Reforms
Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC Group plc) Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent of Government
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK Retain - Retain on grounds of impartiality

Department for Transport

from 14th October list
  • Official DfT press release: [9]
Public Body Proposed Reforms
BRB (Residuary) Limited No longer a Public Corporation - Abolish body and transfer functions to the Secretary of State for Transport. BRBR will be wound up once a programme of asset disposals is complete
British Transport Police Authority Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent from Government
Civil Aviation Authority Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a function which requires impartiality
Commission for Integrated Transport No longer an NDPB - Abolish body and seek arrangement that delivers external analysis and strategic advice on cross-modal transport policy and realising benefits, at lower cost
Cycling England No longer an NDPB - Abolish body. We have announced a Local Sustainable Travel Fund and will explore ways of marshalling expert input on cycling issues, including to support the Fund
Disabled Persons’ Transport Advisory Committee No longer an NDPB - Abolish body. We are exploring options for continuing to gain the disability advice we need through a more flexible, accountable structure
Directly Operated Railways Ltd Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent of Government
London and Continental Railways Ltd Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent of Government
Northern Lighthouse Board Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent of Government
Office of Rail Regulation Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a function which requires impartiality
Passenger Focus/Passengers' Council Retain and substantially reform - Retain on grounds of performing a function which requires impartiality. Substantially reform to focus on core role of protecting passengers, while reducing cost to taxpayers
Railway Heritage Committee No longer an NDPB - Abolish body and functions. No equivalent protection applies to the heritage items of any other transport sector
Renewable Fuels Agency No longer an NDPB - Abolish body and transfer functions to the Secretary of State for Transport
Traffic Commissioners and Deputies Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a function which requires impartiality
Trinity House Lighthouse Service Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent of Government


Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

from 14th October list
Public Body Proposed Reforms
Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission No longer an NDPB - Will become an executive agency of DWP who will have responsibility for its functions
Disability Employment Advisory Committee No longer an NDPB - Transfer Disability Employment Advice Function to Equality 2025
Disability Living Allowance / Attendance Allowance Advisory Board No longer an NDPB - Functions can be carried out between the Department for Work and Pensions, with external specialist advice if required, and Equality 2025
Equality 2025 Retain - The group will now advise on areas previously covered by other bodies on issues affecting disabled people
Health and Safety Executive Retain - HSE’s functions and expenditure are being scrutinised in the context of the Spending Review and Lord Young's review of health and safety
Independent Living Fund Under consideration - Options still being considered
Industrial Injuries Advisory Council Retain - Retain on grounds of impartiality
National Employment Savings Trust (succeeded the Personal Accounts Delivery Authority on 5 July 2010) Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should be independent of Government
Pension Protection Fund Retain - Retain on grounds of impartiality
Pensions Ombudsman, Single Pensions Regulator Merge - Merge with Pension Protection Fund Ombudsman to form a single tribunal NDPB
Pensions Protection Fund Ombudsman Merge - Merge with Pensions Ombudsman to form a single tribunal NDPB
Pensions Regulator Retain - Retain on grounds of impartiality
Remploy Ltd Under consideration
Social Security Advisory Committee Retain - Retain on grounds of impartiality
The Pensions Advisory Service Retain - Retain on grounds of impartiality

Department of Health

in progress


  • Previous announcement 26/07/2010 [10]
  • To be abolished:
    • Alcohol Education and Research Council - to be abolished
    • Appointments Commission - to be abolished during 2012. Move remaining appointments to the Department of Health.
    • Care Quality Commission - Retain as quality inspectorate across health and social care, operating a joint licensing regime with Monitor. Host organisation for Healthwatch England. Current responsibility of assessing NHS commissioning moves to the NHS Commissioning Board. May gain functions from other organisations, e.g. HTA and HFEA.
    • Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence - Remove from the sector. Make a self-funding body by charging a levy on regulators. Extend role to set standards for and quality assure voluntary registers.
    • General Social Care Council - Transfer the regulation of social workers to the Health Professions Council, which will be renamed to reflect its new remit.
    • Health and Social Care Information Centre - Retain, and put on a firmer statutory footing by establishing it in primary legislation. National repository for data collection across health care, public health and adult social care. Clearer focus on data collection, with a close working relationship with the NHS Commissioning Board.
    • Health Protection Agency - Abolish as a statutory organisation and transfer functions to the Secretary of State as part of the new Public Health Service.
    • Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HEFA) - Retain as a separate ALB for the time being, with the aim of transferring its functions by the end of the current Parliament. In the meantime, we will examine the practicalities (and legal implications) of how to divide the HFEA’s functions between a new research regulator, the Care Quality Commission and the Health and Social Care Information Centre.
    • Human Tissue Authority - Retain as a separate ALB for the time being, with the aim of transferring its functions by the end of the current Parliament. In the meantime, we will examine the practicalities (and legal implications) of how to divide the HTA’s functions between a new research regulator, the Care Quality Commission and the Health and Social Care Information Centre.
    • Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - Retain, but with the expectation that it will undertake its regulatory duties in the most cost effective way.
    • Monitor - Retain and make an economic regulator, operating a joint licensing regime with CQC.
    • National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) - Retain, and put on a firmer statutory footing by establishing it in primary legislation. Expand scope to include social care standards.
    • National Patient Safety Agency - Abolish as an ALB. Safety functions retained and transferred to the National Commissioning Board. Explore transfer of National Research and Ethics Service functions to single research regulator. National Clinical Assessment Service to become self-funding over the next two to three years.
    • National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse - Abolish as an ALB, and transfer functions to the Secretary of State as part of the new Public Health Service.
    • NHS Blood and Transplant - Retain, and commission an in-depth review of opportunities to make more commercially effective. Transfer Bio-Products Laboratory out of NHSBT into a Department of Health owned company.
    • NHS Business Services Authority - Retain in short term, and commission commercial review to identify potential for increased commercial opportunities, including potential to remove functions from the ALB sector.
    • NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement - Abolish. Move functions which will support the NHS Commissioning Board in leading for quality improvement to the Board. Review the potential for its remaining functions to be delivered through alternative commercial delivery models.
    • NHS Litigation Authority - Retain, and commission an industry review to identify potential opportunities for greater commercial involvement.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)

  • 14/10/2010 - Official FCO press release: [11]
from 14th October list
Public Body Proposed Reforms
BBC World Service Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function and impartiality grounds
British Council Retain - Retain on grounds of impartiality
Caribbean Board No longer an NDPB - Abolish body and function
Diplomatic Service Appeals Board Under consideration - The department is reviewing and exploring options and will report in January 2011
Foreign Compensation Commission Under consideration - This is currently under consideration
Government Hospitality Advisory Committee on the purchase of Wines No longer an NDPB - The NDPB will be abolished and the function is under departmental review
Great Britain-China Centre Under consideration - This is currently under consideration by the department
Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission Retain - Retain on the grounds of impartiality
The Westminster Foundation for Democracy Retain - Retain on grounds of impartiality
UK India Round Table Under consideration - This is currently under consideration by the department

Government Equality Office

from 14th October list
Public Body Proposed Reforms
Equality and Human Rights Commission Retain and substantially reform - Retain, with better focus on its core regulatory functions and improved use of taxpayers' money
Women’s National Commission No longer an NDPB - Abolish body and bring core functions into the Government Equalities Office, which will ensure direct Ministerial engagement with women and women's organisations

HM Treasury

from 14th October list
Public Body Proposed Reforms
Royal Mint Advisory Committee on the Design of Coins, Medals, Seals and Decorations Retain - Retain on the grounds of providing a technical function. The most cost-effective way to provide the specialist knowledge needed to advise the Chancellor and HM the Queen on coin designs

Home Office

from 14th October list
Public Body Proposed Reforms
Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent of Government
Animal Procedures Committee Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function. Subject to consultation in due course when new EU directive is transposed into law
Forensic Science Service Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent of Government
Independent Police Complaints Commission Retain - Retain on grounds of impartiality
Independent Safeguarding Authority Under consideration - Subject to review of the Vetting and Barring Scheme announced by the Home Secretary that will be launched in due course
Investigatory Powers Tribunal Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent of Government
Migration Advisory Committee Retain - Retain on grounds of impartiality
National DNA Database Ethics Group Retain - Retain on grounds of impartiality
National Policing Improvement Agency No longer an NDPB - Currently considering which functions must be delivered nationally and where they should sit in a rationalised national policing landscape, as previously announced
Office of Surveillance Commissioners Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent of Government
Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner Under consideration - Future options, including possible merger, under consideration
Police Advisory Board, Police Negotiating Board and Police Arbitration Tribunal Under consideration - The review of police remuneration and conditions of service has been asked to consider how these are determined, by 2011
Police Discipline Appeals Tribunal Retain - Retain on grounds of impartiality
Security Industry Authority No Longer an NDPB - Phased transition to new regulatory regime
Serious Organised Crime Agency Merge - Merge functions into the new National Crime Agency, as previously announced
Technical Advisory Board Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent of Government

Ministry of Defence (MoD)

from 14th October list
Public Body Proposed Reforms
Advisory Committee on Conscientious Objectors Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a function which requires impartiality
Advisory Group on Military Medicine Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent of Government
Animal Welfare Advisory Committee No longer an NDPB - Abolish body and function, as previously announced
Armed Forces Pay Review Body Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a function which requires impartiality
Central Advisory Committee on Pensions and Compensation Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a function which requires impartiality
Defence Nuclear Safety Committee Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent of Government
Defence Scientific Advisory Council Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent of Government
Independent Monitoring Board for the Military Corrective Training Centre Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a function which requires impartiality
National Army Museum Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent from Government
National Employer Advisory Board Under consideration - Options being considered as to how the functions could be provided by a committee of experts
National Museum of the Royal Navy Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent of Government
Nuclear Research Advisory Council Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent of Government
Oil and Pipelines Agency Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent of Government
Review Board for Government Contracts Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent of Government
Royal Air Force Museum Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent of Government
Science Advisory Committee on the Medical Implications of Less-Lethal Weapons Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent of Government
Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees (x 13) Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a function which requires impartiality


Ministry of Justice (MoJ)

  • 14/10/2010 - Official MoJ press release: [12]
from 14th October list
Public Body Proposed Reforms
Advisory Committees on Justices of the Peace (x 101) Merge - Merge and reduce number to 49 on the grounds of impartiality
Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council No longer an NDPB - Abolish body and function
Advisory Committee on Civil Costs Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent of Government
Advisory Council on Historical Manuscripts Merge - Merge with the Advisory Council on National Records and Archives
Advisory Council on National Records and Archives Retain - Retain on the grounds of providing a technical function which should be independent of Government
Advisory Council on Public Records Merge - Merge with the Advisory Council on National Records and Archives
Advisory Panel on Public Sector Information Under consideration - Under consideration, subject to confirming the relationship of this body with the newly-established Transparency Board
Assessor for Compensation for Miscarriages of Justice Retain - Retain on the grounds of impartiality
Chief Coroner of England and Wales/Chief Coroner’s Office (1 body) No longer a statutory body - Abolish body and function. Certain functions to be transferred, either to the Lord Chancellor or the Lord Chief Justice.
Civil Justice Council Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent of Government
Civil Procedure Rule Committee Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent of Government
Courts Boards (x 19) No longer an NDPB - Abolish body and function
Courts Fund Office Retain and substantially reform - Retain on grounds of performing a function which requires political impartiality - but outsource investment activity
Criminal Cases Review Commission Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a function which requires impartiality
Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Retain - Retain on the grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent of Government
Criminal Procedure Rule Committee Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent of Government
Crown Court Rule Committee No longer an NDPB - Abolish body and transfer functions to Lord Chief Justice in consultation with other rule committees
Crown Prosecution Service Merge - Merge with Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office. Public Bodies Bill will legislatively complete the reform which was effected in Jan 2010
Family Justice Council Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent of Government
Family Procedure Rule Committee Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent of Government
HM Inspectorate of Court Administration No longer a statutory body - Abolish body and transfer essential functions to the appropriate inspectorate, as previously announced
HM Inspectorate of Prisons Retain - Retain on the grounds of transparency
HM Inspectorate of Probation Retain - Retain on the grounds of transparency
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman Retain - Retain on the grounds of transparency
HM Land Registry Retain and substantially reform - Retain on the grounds of transparency - but Government will undertake a feasibility study to scope out the opportunities presented by private sector investment
Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent of Government
Independent Monitoring Boards of Prisons, Immigration Removal Centres and Short-Term Holding Rooms (x 147) Retain - Retain on the grounds of transparency
Information Commissioner's Office Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a function which requires impartiality
Insolvency Rules Committee Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent from Government
Judicial Appointments Commission Under consideration - Under consideration - but subject to Judicial Appointments Review
Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman Under consideration - Under consideration - but subject to Judicial Appointments Review
Land Registration Rule Committee Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent of Government
Law Commission of England and Wales Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent of Government
Legal Services Board Retain - Retain on the grounds of impartiality
Legal Services Commission No longer an NDPB - Abolish as NDPB - change to Executive Agency , as previously announced
Legal Services Ombudsman No longer a statutory body - Abolish both body and function - decision already taken to abolish by 2011
Magistrates’ Courts Rule Committee No longer a statutory body - Abolish - body will be discontinued and function will transfer to other rule committee
Office for Legal Complaints (funded by profession) Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a function which requires political impartiality
Official Solicitor Retain - Retain on the grounds of transparency
Parole Board of England and Wales Retain and substantially reform - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent of Government but consider future status
Probation Trusts (x 35) Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a function which requires political impartiality
Prison Services Pay Review Body Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a function which requires impartiality
Public Guardian Board No longer a statutory body - Abolish body and function
Public Trustee Retain and substantially reform - Retain on the grounds of impartiality, consider the potential for further outsourcing
Restraint Accreditation Board Retain - Retain on the grounds of transparency
Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office Merge - Merge with Crown Prosecution Office. Public Bodies Bill will legislatively complete the reform which was effected in Jan 2010
Sentencing Council for England and Wales Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a function which requires impartiality
The National Archives Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent from Government
Tribunal Procedure Committee Retain - Retain on grounds of performing a technical function which should remain independent of Government
Victim's Advisory Panel No longer an NDPB - Abolish body and function
Victims Commissioner Retain - Retain on the grounds of impartiality
Youth Justice Board for England and Wales No longer an NDPB - Abolish as part of wider criminal justice reforms

Telegraph list of quangos to be abolished (24/09/2010)

Public bodies to be abolished (177 bodies)

(*) = Responsibility devolved to relevant Local Authority

Public bodies to be privatised (4 bodies)

Public bodies to be merged or consolidated (Maximum of 129 bodies reduced to Minimum of 57)

Public bodies still under review (94 bodies)

(*) Refers to those National Museums and Galleries in England which are publicly-funded by DCMS and receive rebates of VAT incurred in the course of their activities, in order them to enable free admission to the public. These are:

Other publicly-funded museums (The British Library, The National Army Museum, etc.) are separately referred to in this list, and museums in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are a devolved matter (although they also receive rebates of VAT).

Public bodies which will be retained (350 bodies)

FOI requests to most of these public authorities can be made using WhatDoTheyKnow.com. Direct links to these public authorities can be found here

  • ACAS
  • Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee
  • Advisory Committee on Business Appointments
  • Advisory Committee on Civil Costs
  • Advisory Committee on Clinical Excellence Awards
  • Advisory Committee on Hazardous Substances
  • Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment
  • Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs
  • Advisory Group on Military Medicine
  • Agricultural Land Tribunal
  • Architects Registration Board
  • Armed Forces Pay Review Body
  • Arts Council England
  • BBC
  • Big Lottery Fund
  • British Railway Board (Residuary) Ltd
  • British Library
  • British Pharmocopoeia Commission
  • British Transport Police
  • British Wool Marketing Board
  • Broads Authority
  • Capital for Enterprise
  • Care Quality Commission
  • Central Advisory Committee on Pensions and Compensation
  • Central Office of Information
  • Channel 4
  • Charity Commission for England and Wales
  • Civil Aviation Authority
  • Civil Nuclear Police Authority and Constabulary
  • Civil Procedure Rule Committee
  • Civil Service Appeals Board
  • Commission on Human Medicines
  • Committee on Climate Change
  • Committee on Radioactive Waste Management
  • Committee on Standards in Public Life
  • Commonwealth Development Corporation
  • Commonwealth Scholarship Commission
  • Courts Fund Office
  • Criminal Cases Review Commission
  • Criminal Procedure Rule Committee
  • Defence Nuclear Safety Committee
  • Defence Scientific Advisory Council
  • Equality 2025
  • Family Procedure Rule Committee
  • Fire Service College
  • Food Standards Agency
  • Forensic Science Service
  • Gangmasters Licensing Authority
  • Great North Eastern Railways Ltd
  • Higher Education Funding Council for England
  • HM Inspectorate of Prisons
  • HM Inspectorate of Probation
  • HM Land Registry
  • Horserace Betting Levy Appeal Tribunal
  • House of Lords Appointment Commission
  • Independent Advisory Panels on Deaths in Custody
  • Independent Agricultural Appeals Panel
  • Independent Housing Ombudsman
  • Independent Monitoring Board for the Military Corrective Training Centre
  • Independent Police Complaints Commission
  • Independent Prison Monitoring Boards (147 bodies)
  • Independent Reconfiguration Panel
  • Industrial Injuries Advisory Council
  • Information Commissioner's Office
  • Insolvency Rules Committee
  • Judicial Appointments Commission
  • Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman
  • Land Registration Rule Committee
  • Legal Services Board
  • Local Government Ombudsman
  • London and Continental Railways Ltd
  • Low Pay Commission
  • Marine Management Organisation
  • Marshall Aid Foundation
  • Medical Education England
  • Migration Advisory Committee
  • Monitor
  • National Employment Savings Trust
  • National Parks Authorities (9 bodies)
  • National Savings and Investments
  • National School of Government
  • Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes
  • NHS Pay Review Body
  • Northern Lighthouse Board
  • Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
  • Nuclear Liabilities Board
  • Nuclear Liability Financing Assurance Board
  • Nuclear Research Advisory Council
  • Office of Judicial Complaints
  • Office for Legal Complaints
  • Office of Manpower Economics
  • Office of Rail Regulation
  • Office of Surveillance Commissioners
  • Office of the Public Guardian
  • Official Solicitor
  • Ofgem
  • Ofqual
  • Ofsted
  • Oil and Pipelines Agency
  • Olympic Delivery Authority
  • Olympic Lottery Distributor
  • Ordnance Survey
  • Parole Board
  • Partnerships UK
  • Pension Protection Fund
  • Pensions Regulator
  • Planning Inspectorate
  • Plant Varieties and Seeds Tribunal
  • Police Discipline Appeals Tribunal
  • Prison Services Pay Review Body
  • Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
  • Probation Trusts (35 bodies)
  • Research Councils (7 bodies)
  • Restraint Accreditation Board
  • Review Board for Government Contracts
  • Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration
  • Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art
  • Royal Mail Holdings Plc
  • S4C
  • School Teachers' Review Body
  • Science Advisory Council
  • Scientific Advisory Committee on the Medical Implications of Less-Lethal Weapons
  • Security Vetting Appeals Panel
  • Senior Salaries Review Body
  • Sentencing Council for England and Wales
  • Social Security Advisory Committee
  • Technical Advisory Board
  • Technical Assessor for Compensation of Miscarriages of Justice
  • Technology Strategy Board
  • The Royal Mint
  • The Westminster Foundation for Democracy
  • Traffic Commissioners and Deputies
  • Treasure Valuation Committee
  • Tribunals Procedure Rule Committee
  • Tribunals Service
  • Trinity House Lighthouse Service
  • UK Anti Doping
  • UK Commission for Employment and Skills
  • UK Trade and Investment
  • Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees (13 bodies)
  • Veterinary Products Committee
  • Victims Commissioner
  • Victim's Advisory Panel