First Secretary of State Louise Haigh has announced the creation of three taskforces and a new agency, the OneGov Delivery Agency, aimed at streamlining the state and delivering on government promises. The move, intended to reform the civil service, has drawn criticism from the Conservative Party, who accuse Labour of establishing a "massive new quango."
Conservative deputy leader Alex Burghart stated that the OneGov Delivery Agency represents a "step in the wrong direction" because it would assign responsibility to ministers without granting them direct control over key functions. These functions include government recruitment, civil service pensions, shared services, and security vetting. Burghart expressed concern that such bodies diminish ministerial agency over decisions affecting constituents.
Haigh, however, asserted that the central civil service is expected to shrink under devolution plans, leading to fewer civil servants at the center. She emphasized a commitment to "tear away that red tape" and make government more streamlined and efficient. This initiative, she explained, aligns with a commitment to devolution and "rewiring the state," aiming to build capacity and capability in regional and local government, which she noted had been impacted by a decade of austerity.
During a debate in the Commons, Burghart also questioned Haigh's efforts to restrain the Treasury's power, noting her previous description of Number 11 as "imperial." He expressed disappointment that she had not led a charge to diminish this perceived power. Burghart suggested that initial plans for 'No10 North' to take charge of growth had been watered down, with significant power remaining with the Treasury under Chancellor John Healey.
Haigh countered that strategic functions, including local economic growth and devolution strategy, have been transferred from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and HM Treasury to Number 10 North, describing it as a "chip in its empire." She also stated that Number 10 North has been fully funded within existing Cabinet Office budgets.
The exchange followed Haigh's statement on "rewiring the state," which outlined government plans for devolution, economic growth, and resilience. She announced three taskforces focused on the cost of living, control over essential services like housing, water, energy, and transport, and community renewal. Haigh indicated a continued drive for devolution and pledged to work with regional mayors to implement these changes.