Coalition urged to rethink quango cull after MPs' stinging criticism

7 January 2011

Ministers were today (Friday, 7 January) urged to think again on plans to abolish nearly 200 quangos, following a stinging parliamentary report which branded the proposals as 'botched.'

Unite, the largest union in the country, repeated its call for the coalition to press the ‘pause’ button, after criticism from the cross-party Commons Public Administration Committee which said that the coalition had ‘poorly managed’ its cull of the quangos.

Unite General Secretary-designate, Len McCluskey said; ‘Unite warned last October about the dangers of culling quangos as they do an immense amount of good work as economic generators, defenders of consumer and legal rights, environmental champions, and guardians of standards in public life.’

‘It appears that the coalition is intent on pushing ahead with its plans, regardless of the stinging criticisms from this respected parliamentary committee, which means that ministers are refusing to take account of the expert advice of the professionals and the conclusions of elected MPs from across the parties.’

‘Unite is urging the government to stop and rethink the reasoning behind the Public Bodies (Reform) Bill which has all the hallmarks of being hastily prepared and ill-thought-out.’

‘The fact that the government, which has been in office for nine months, is still unable to say how much will be saved by this exercise speaks volumes for its ability to formulate coherent policy. This is a massive upheaval affecting the services provided to the public for no apparent reason.’

‘Unite will continue to campaign strongly to save the thousands of our members’ jobs under threat.’

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