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Think tank calls for 11 Million to be scrapped

1 min read Education Social Care
11 Million, the office of the children's commissioner for England, is among at least eight quangos that should be scrapped by an incoming government, according to a report by think tank the Centre for Policy Studies.

The think tank, founded by Margaret Thatcher in 1974, believes more than £600m could be saved every year if at least eight of the government's quangos, or non-departmental government bodies, which have the greatest influence on schools were abolished.

The report states: "11 Million should be abolished. This would provide a clear statement on the part of an incoming government that rather than attempting to implement an overarching strategy for every child in the country, the remit of state intervention should focus on those most in need."

A spokesman for 11 Million said: "11 Million fulfils a unique and statutory role of promoting the views and interests of all children and young people in England, especially those from vulnerable groups, and across all issues. The Children's Commissioner for England is also an internationally recognised post commended by the United Nations.

"It is vital for children and young people that the progress made is continued and built on by 11 Million and the children's commissioner."

In addition to 11 Million, the report claims that the Training and Development Agency for Schools, Becta and the National College for School Leadership are redundant. The remit of Ofsted and Partnerships for Schools should also be curtailed, it said.

Liberal Democrat schools spokesman David Laws said there is little evidence to suggest that education quangos have raised standards. He said: "At a time when public finances are being squeezed, we must ask if these quangos are necessary."

But schools minister Vernon Coaker claimed that quangos free up schools' time.

He said: "This report ignores the fact that these bodies are doing a valuable job, are publicly accountable to ministers and to the taxpayer, and are transparently and independently audited."

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