Trimming the Quangocracy

I was sceptical that the new government would be able to make much headway with its promise of a 'bonfire of the quangos'.  Vested interests grow up around such bodies and every single one, I thought, would defend itself with vigour.

Instead the process has been remarkably quiet, with consultations and discussions taking place within Whitehall rather than causing much public fuss.  A list of 177 bodies, agencies, committees and quangos to be abolished has now emerged at the Telegraph, along with two other lists: a list of bodies still under review and a list of bodies to be merged.

Two things strike me:

First, the astonishing number of advisory committees, which I'm certain are completely ignored when their advice isn't what the Minister wants to hear.  I don't think this means their expert advice will no longer be heard - rather the opposite, they were muffled inside the tent and now they can speak loudly and openly.  Scientists may need a bit of help lobbying government in the right language, the right way and at the right time (as do businesses) but setting them loose from government itself may prove to be a good thing in the long run.

Second, the cuts under consideration go much further than I thought they would.  Even executive agencies such as the Environment Agency are still under review for example - this would be a very big move.  The EA was formed in 1996 by a Conservative government and employs over 10,000 staff.  I rather suspect this one will  be merged or moved into the Department almost wholesale.  But the point is that nothing has been taken for granted, it really has been a root-and-branch review.

I applaud the effort and believe this is a worthwhile exercise.  However, much like the cuts to the Building Schools for the Future programme, I hope the people in charge have done their homework properly and aren't rushing things...