MPs call for clarity on quangos

MPs have called on the government to produce a clear ‘map of state’ setting out the roles and responsibilities of quangos and agencies, after finding that the current arrangements lacked clarity.

Director of research Tom Gash said: "The current landscape is confused and confusing – and too often it’s not clear how much independence arm’s-length bodies have or how they should be held to account for their performance. As the rows over the Environment Agency’s role in the floods showed, the current situation creates blame games and confusion so a new framework is needed."