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Arms Length Bodies

Asked by Jim ShannonDemocratic Unionist PartyCabinet OfficeTabled Answered 12 June 2025UIN 57243

The question

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the (a) number and (b) cost of arms length bodies; and what discussions he has had with his counterparts in (a) Northern Ireland, (b) Wales and (c) Scotland on this issue.

Answered by Georgia Gould

The government is conducting a full line-by-line Spending Review which will cover the costs of proposed and existing ALBs to ensure value for money is being delivered for the taxpayer.

On 6 April, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster announced a full review of all UK government arm’s length bodies to drive efficiency and reduce bureaucracy and duplication as part of Prime Minister’s Plan for Change.The review is ongoing. I have not held any ministerial discussions with my devolved counterparts about this review.

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