MPs attack 'botched' quangos cull
Government efforts to scrap expensive and often ineffective quangos have been criticised by a group of MPs, who say the process has been "botched".
In October, Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude announced he was cutting the number of public bodies from 901 to 648 to restore accountability to large swathes of government.
However, the House of Commons public administration committee criticised the way the review was carried out and accused ministers of seeking excessive powers to axe even more.
The cross-party group of MPs found ministers had "failed to recognise the realities of the modern world" and missed an opportunity to show its "Big Society" agenda in action by handing more powers to charity.
Concerns were also raised that the quango cutbacks were carried out without "meaningful consultation" and without properly defined tests.
Conservative committee chair Bernard Jenkin said: "This was a fantastic opportunity to help build the Big Society and save money at the same time, but it has been botched.
"The government needs to rethink which functions public bodies need to perform and consider transferring some of these functions over to mutuals and charities."
Elsewhere today deputy prime minister Nick Clegg will use a speech to underline the government's intention to replace the current control orders system.
Speaking to an audience in central London, Clegg will pledge a "mission to restore British freedoms".
Former Labour MP David Chaytor will later be sentenced after pleading guilty to over £20,000 in false expenses claims.
And on Monday, parliamentary business in both chambers will resume following the Christmas recess.
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