30 September 2010 #Employment
Government ministers have drawn up a list of over 170 quangos to be abolished, it was reported last week. A further 94 of the tax-funded bodies are also under threat of being scrapped, according to the Daily Telegraph who claim to have seen a Government list. The Cabinet Office has refused to comment on the details of a leaked document.
The number of quangos under Labour was estimated to have reached more than 1,000, employing more than 700,000 people and costing almost £65bn. David Cameron insisted cuts are necessary, not just to save money but for democratic accountability.
Quangos allegedly being abolished include the Disability Employment Advisory Committee, the Disability Living/Attendance Allowance Advisory Board and the Disabled Persons` Transport Advisory Committee.
Also on the list is the School Support Staff Negotiating Body, which advises ministers on pay for school support staff. Trade Union Unison has threatened to ballot its members for industrial action if the proposal goes ahead.
Those who are still at risk include the Environment Agency, the Equality and Human Rights Commission, and the National Employer Advisory Board.
Bodies to escape the cull include ACAS, the Central Advisory Committee on Pensions and Compensation, the Information Commissioners Office, and the Low Pay Commission.
Some quangos are to be privatised, including the Constructions and Skills Training Board. Construction workers` union UCATT has warned that privatisation would be a "disaster" for apprenticeship training and the Trade Union Prospect said its members would be "very concerned for their jobs".