Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many open (a) processes and (b) applications there are for the closure of (i) arm’s-length bodies, (ii) Government Departments, (iii) agencies and (iv) public bodies.

On 6 April, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster announced a full review of all UK government arm’s length bodies, and proposals for new bodies, in order to return policy decisions to Ministers, reduce duplication and improve efficiency and transparency. The review is ongoing and outcomes will be announced in due course.

Information about the closures of other types of public bodies is not held centrally.

The decision to create or close Government Departments is the responsibility of the Prime Minister. There are no active processes underway to create or close any departments.