Arm's length government is not just a numbers game

Institute for Government Senior Fellow Sir Ian Magee has spoken on Radio 4's Today programme to talk about the Institute's recently published report Read Before Burning: Arm's length government for a new administration.

The government has announced that arm's length bodies such as the UK Film Council, Health Protection Agency and Hearing Aid Council are to be wound down.

Presenter Evan Davis asked whether money can really be saved by abolishing arm's length bodies - or quangos.

"This is not just a numbers game." said Ian.

"Nearly 80% of spend in quangos is concentrated in 15 bodies. This is of around about 800. Spend isn't necessarily valued by abolition: 75% of costs are grants passed on, for example university funding and legal aid."

Ian pointed out public concern about issues such as affordability, accountability and inefficiencies - but also the confusing nature of the landscape.

Ian said: "It is confusing. There are 11 different sorts of bodies which we are suggesting the government might usefully consider reducing to four."