Arm’s-length Bodies

Lord Booth Excerpts

Thursday 1st May 2025 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Lord Booth]

To ask His Majesty’s Government, following the announced abolition of NHS England, whether they propose to abolish any other arm’s-length bodies and if so which ones.

[Baroness in Waiting/Government Whip (Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent) (Lab)]

My Lords, the Government are reviewing all arm’s-length bodies, with a presumption that they will be closed or merged or have functions returned to government departments unless justified. The review supports the Government’s plan to create a more productive and agile state, exemplified by NHS England’s abolition. The review on ALBs is ongoing and will determine which bodies will undergo closure or merging or be reintegrated into their sponsoring department.

[Lord Booth (Con)]

I thank the Minister for her Answer. I am somewhat confused because the Government have already committed to establishing, or are in the process of establishing, 26 new arm’s-length bodies. I have been trying to ascertain from the Government by Written Answer the exact cost of those 26 bodies but have been unable to do so. Will the Government commit to giving me the cost of these 26 bodies and putting a record in the House Library? It is, after all, taxpayers’ money that is being spent.

[Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)]

This Government, unlike the last one, are very aware that every penny we spend is taxpayers’ money. That is why we are reviewing every arm’s-length body and will be the first Government in history to ask the Civil Service to look at our manifesto to see which of our commitments for arm’s-length bodies should be delivered directly by government departments rather than by an individual entity. With regard to the costing, we are at a very early stage—only nine months into this Government—for the creation of some of these bodies. As each body is established, the figures will be released in the normal way.