Sarwar vows to cut quangos by third over next parliament

Anas Sarwar has pledged to cut the number of quangos in Scotland by a third if he becomes first minister, as part of a move to “tear apart” bureaucracy.

The Scottish Labour leader said his party would reduce quangos (quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations) by a third over the course of the next parliament.

He also said Labour would establish a team for “government efficiency” and review the Scottish Government’s working groups and strategies.

The party has already pledged to reduce the number of territorial health boards from 14 to three.

Labour also wants to reform the commissioner landscape and review the environment agencies in Scotland.

On Thursday, Mr Sarwar will set out his proposals to address the “labyrinth” of 133 devolved public bodies in Scotland.

The party said their proposals to reduce the number of public bodies are not “exhaustive” and the reduction of a third would take place over the lifetime of the next session of the Scottish Parliament.

He said: “Scotland’s public services are at breaking point, but one industry that is thriving under the SNP is publicly-funded quangos.

“While local services are cut to the bone and our NHS fights for survival, the SNP spares no expense on its own bloated bureaucracy.

“These bodies don’t provide good value for taxpayers – but they do provide a good shield for SNP ministers.

“It’s time to tear apart this wasteful and ineffective labyrinth of public bodies and focus on delivering for the people of Scotland.

“A Scottish Labour government led by me will cut the number of quangos by a third and put that money back in frontline services and taxpayers’ pockets where it belongs.

“I will end the waste, the deflection and the ‘jobs for boys’ culture of the SNP’s system and put your priorities first.

“I will restore political accountability so ministers are responsible for delivery – not some distant arms-length body.

“In May, Scotland faces a choice between an SNP Government that will waste your money, or a Scottish Labour government that will focus on getting the basics right.

“Only Scottish Labour can replace the SNP, fix their mess and change our country for the better.”

Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee said: “This government has already streamlined the public sector landscape reducing the number of public bodies under government control from 199 when we came to office, to the current 133.

“And we are going to go further – the Public Service Reform Strategy sets out our commitment to deliver £1 billion savings by the end of 2029/30.

“That will allow us to ensure we are maximising investment in the frontline – and helps to pay for the issues that matter to the people of Scotland, like GP walk-in centres, free university tuition and supporting people with the cost of living.”