# The blob: Inside the ‘arm’s-length bodies’ taking over government

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-blob-inside-the-arms-length-bodies-taking-over-government/
- Published: 2026-11-10T10:57:22+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-10T11:26:08+00:00
- Original publisher: City AM (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.cityam.com/the-blob-inside-the-arms-length-bodies-taking-over-government/
- Topics: Business, Government, Politics

## Key points

- Governments have created at least 15 arm’s-length bodies since 2024.
- The article argues quangos can raise costs and limit ministerial control.
- Estimates put the number of public bodies between 307 and around 500.

## Summary

Governments of different parties have pledged to reduce the influence of quangos, or arm’s-length bodies, but at least 15 have been created since 2024. The article argues that without a clear plan, these bodies can shape policy and add costs while remaining difficult for elected politicians to control.

A Policy Exchange project is reviewing bodies sponsored by the education and environment departments, asking whether their work is needed, requires independence and is best delivered through an arm’s-length body. The article cites estimates that Natural England advice delayed at least 100,000 homes, a £100 million bat tunnel for HS2 and £700 million of fish-deterrent equipment at Hinkley Point C. Estimates of the number of public bodies range from 307 to around 500; across six large bodies, staff numbers rose by a third between 2014-15 and the period a decade later.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.