Recommendation 8

The Ministry of Justice and the Office of the Children’s Commissioner told us that, there can be a sound rationale for having separate small bodies, such as when legislation requires an office holder to be independent.9 But the opposite is also true. All Government Departments should think carefully about the principles embodied in their report before providing draft legislation setting up new large and small bodies. The government has stated that the reorganisation of public bodies will not affect bodies whose independence from ministerial decision-making is essential, such as those which scrutinise government or protect the rule of law.10 6 Cabinet Office, Hundreds of quangos to be examined for potential closure as Government takes back control, 7 April 2025 7 Qq 3, 6 and 10; C&AG’s Report, paras 13, 14 and 23 8 Committee of Public Accounts, Government’s delivery through arm’s-length bodies, Eighteenth Report of Session 2021–22, HC 181, 24 September 2021 9 Qq 13, 15 and 71 10 Cabinet Office, Hundreds of quangos to be examined for potential closure as Government takes back control, 7 April 2025 7 2 Simplifying requirements for small bodies Financial reporting requirements