HPA response to today’s news about the government’s plans for quangos

24 September 2010

Health Protection Agency response to today's media coverage of taxpayer-funded bodies to be abolished under the coalition

Today's news is in line with the announcement in July by the Secretary of State for Health that HPA's functions are to be transferred to him, as part of the creation of a new national public health service. This is consistent with the Conservative Party's green paper on public health published earlier this year and reflects the importance of HPA's work, particularly in responding to significant incidents. The Arm's Length Bodies Review, published in July, made it clear that the detailed implications of the change in HPA's status are still to be determined and will only become apparent when the Public Health White Paper is published at the end of this year. We are currently working with colleagues in the Department of Health to advise on how the Secretary of State's objectives can best be met while protecting the key strengths of the agency – independent expert advice and integrated delivery of health protection functions.

To find out more about the report of the Arm's Length Bodies Review, published on the 26 July 2010, please visit: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_117691

Last reviewed: 24 September 2010