executive agency

   ‘Next step’ agencies were created following the publication of the Ibbs Report (1988), as part of a programme of reform of the Civil Service designed to promote managerial efficiency. They carry out some of the administrative functions of government previously the responsibility of Civil Service departments. The agencies operate as semi-autonomous agencies at arm’s length from the sponsoring department.

   Within each government department, there are several agencies which specialise in different areas of public service, with diverse arrangements for recruitment and pay. Within the Department of Social Security, there is the core department in Whitehall which is concerned with advice to ministers, relations with HM Treasury and public relations. Otherwise, work has been hived off into six agencies such as the Benefits Agency and the Child Support Agency. Agencies remain within their departments, their staff are still departmental civil servants and ministers retain responsibility to Parliament for their activities. In theory, ministers decide their policy, targets and financial framework, but the chief executive has responsibility for the day-to-day management of services. Yet in practice the position on responsibility is blurred and ministers are reluctant to admit responsibility when things have gone wrong.