What is a quango?

A quango is a public body that is funded by government but works at arm's length from ministers. The word stands for quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisation. Examples include the Environment Agency, Ofsted, Arts Council England and the Office for Budget Responsibility. Officially they are called arm's-length bodies.

Quangos carry out tasks that governments think should be kept separate from party politics. Some regulate industries, such as Ofwat for water and Ofgem for energy. Some advise ministers, such as the Climate Change Committee. Others deliver services, such as the Environment Agency, or hand out funding, such as research councils. Some are very large employers, while others are small advisory panels.

There are several types. Non-departmental public bodies have their own boards and budgets. Executive agencies, like the DVLA, sit inside departments but run with some independence. Ministers usually appoint the boards and set budgets, while staff work to a framework rather than direct daily orders. Ministers usually answer to Parliament for their bodies' work, though the bodies' chief executives can also be questioned by MPs.

Governments regularly promise a bonfire of the quangos to cut costs and improve accountability. In 2025 the government announced that NHS England would be abolished and merged into the Department of Health and Social Care. Critics say quangos can be costly and unaccountable to voters. Supporters say independence brings expertise and protects decisions from short-term politics. Reviews are frequent. Most governments review which bodies to keep or merge.

Who does what

• Health & Social Care: The department in charge of the NHS in England and of adult social care policy. It sets the budget and goals, while NHS bodies run hospitals and GP services day to day.
• Education: Runs education and children's services policy in England, from early years and schools to colleges, apprenticeships and universities.
• Home Office: Responsible for keeping the country safe: policing, borders, immigration, counter terrorism and fire services in England and Wales.
• Justice: Runs the justice system in England and Wales: courts, tribunals, prisons and probation, plus legal aid.
• Defence: Protects the UK and its overseas territories, runs the armed forces, and works with allies such as NATO.
• Foreign Office: Looks after the UK's relationships with other countries, runs embassies, helps British people abroad and manages overseas aid.
• Work & Pensions: Runs the benefits and state pension system and helps people find work. It spends more money than any other department.
• Energy & Net Zero: Responsible for keeping the lights on, helping with energy bills and cutting carbon emissions to reach net zero by 2050.
• Transport: Runs transport policy for England and some UK-wide matters: railways, roads, buses, aviation, shipping and driving licences.
• Housing & Communities: Responsible for housing, planning, local councils and communities in England, plus supporting devolution to regions and mayors.
• Environment & Farming: Looks after the environment, food, farming, fishing and rural areas, including clean air, water quality and flood defences.
• Science & Technology: Supports science, research and technology, including AI, broadband, cyber security and how government itself uses digital services.
• Business & Trade: Helps businesses grow, sets trade policy and negotiates trade deals, and protects workers and consumers.
• Culture, Media & Sport: Supports arts, culture, sport, tourism, media and charities, including the BBC charter, museums and gambling rules.
• Cabinet Office: Supports the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, keeps government joined up, and runs the civil service and elections policy.
• Treasury: The UK's finance ministry. It controls public spending, sets taxes and manages the economy and the government's borrowing.
• Downing Street: The office of the Prime Minister. It sets the government's overall direction, priorities and messaging.