Quangos, coalition government and the ombudsmen

On 14 October 2010, it was announced that the Coalition Government would abolish 192 quangos (quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations) (Cabinet Office 2010a). This included the Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council (AJTC) (Ministry of Justice 2010). On 20 October 2010, the Coalition Government outlined to Parliament the most far-reaching cuts to general public expenditure for many years. Included within these were 23% cuts to the Ministry of Justice over a four-year period (HM Treasury 2010, 10). Although the long-term implications of these developments are uncertain, what is already clear is that the new Coalition Government policies will pose significant challenges for the administrative justice system and the ombudsman community. This article will explore some of the key developments that have resulted from the immediate aftermath of the change of government insofar as they relate to the ombudsman community.