Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by the Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office on 13 September 2024 (HC4702) and on 14 January (HC22201), whether the “last resort” test remains government policy when creating a new arm's-length body.

Yes. When establishing a new body, it is for Departments to demonstrate how the proposed body meets at least one of the “three tests”. The Cabinet Office and the Treasury have a detailed process in place for the approval of new public bodies to ensure there is sufficient due diligence to establish a clear rationale for a proposed body.