Making Government Agencies More Accountable to Parliament Bill

This bill changes how arm's-length bodies report to Parliament. Arm's-length bodies are government agencies that operate independently from ministers, like NHS trusts or regulatory bodies. The bill requires these bodies to appear before parliamentary committees more regularly to answer questions about their work. It also gives MPs new powers to request information and documents from these agencies. The government says this will improve oversight and make these bodies more transparent. Critics say it could interfere with their independence and create unnecessary bureaucracy. The bill affects hundreds of public bodies across different sectors including health, education, and regulation. It would change the relationship between Parliament and these agencies, giving elected representatives more direct access to information about how public money is spent and decisions are made.

• 1Requires arm's-length bodies to appear before parliamentary committees more often
• 2Gives MPs new powers to request information and documents from government agencies
• 3Applies to hundreds of public bodies including NHS trusts and regulators
• 4Government says it will improve transparency and oversight of public spending
• 5Critics worry it could reduce independence of these agencies