Guidance

Public Bodies Review Programme

Guidance for sponsor departments, arm's length bodies, review teams and lead reviewers about the Public Bodies Review Programme.

From:
Cabinet Office
Published
26 April 2022
Last updated
25 April 2024 — See all updates

Documents

Guidance on the undertaking of Reviews of Public Bodies

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​​Requirements for Reviews of Public Bodies

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Self-assessment model

MS Excel Spreadsheet, 210 KB

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Template 1: Lead Reviewer role specification

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Template 2: Lead Reviewer terms of engagement

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Template 3: Commencement letter to the Lead Reviewer

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Template 4: Terms of Reference for Public Bodies Reviews

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Template 5: Letter of appreciation to Lead Reviewer

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List of Public Bodies for Review in 2022/23

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List of Public Bodies for Review in 2023/24

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List of Public Bodies for Review in 2024/25

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/list-of-public-bodies-for-review-in-202425

Details

These documents provide guidance for organisations that are reviewing public bodies under the Public Bodies Review Programme.

The bodies in scope of this guidance are:

  • non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs)
  • executive agencies (EAs)
  • non-ministerial departments (NMDs)

The guidance is built on lessons learnt from previous review programmes. New public body reviews will be underpinned by:

  • broad minimum requirements covering efficiency, efficacy, accountability and governance
  • a pool of lead independent reviewers to ensure objectivity
  • a new self-assessment model so that precious resources are not wasted reviewing healthy bodies

The guidance has been developed with the understanding that the ALB landscape is varied. Departments will lead these reviews and should take a risk-based and change-based approach to their prioritisation of public body reviews.

While the tools and guidance must be applied in respect of administratively classified ALBs, departments should also apply it in respect of central government public bodies that have not been administratively classified but which share many of the characteristics of ALBs.

The guidance contributes towards the government meeting Action 24 from the Declaration on Government Reform to:

“Commence a review programme for Arm’s Length Bodies and increase the effectiveness of their departmental sponsorship, underpinned by clear performance metrics and rigorous new governance and sponsorship standards.’’

The review programme and associated guidance delivers against the commitments made in the Declaration on Government Reform to increase both the effectiveness of Arm’s Length Bodies and departmental sponsorship, making government work better in service of citizens.

The Public Bodies Reform Programme acknowledges that the tools and guidance provided will need development as we learn lessons through the progression of reviews. The Programme will review the tools and guidance based on the evidence received and make any necessary updates each year.

Updates to this page

Published 26 April 2022
Last updated 25 April 2024 + show all updates

  1. Added a link to the page: List of Public Bodies for Review in 2024/25

  2. Replaced all documents with updated versions

  3. Added the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury bodies to the page: List of Public Bodies for Review in 2023/24

  4. Added the document: List of Public Bodies for Review in 2023/24

  5. Added the document: List of Public Bodies for Review in 2022/23

  6. First published.

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