Labour has created 25 new quangos since taking office, averaging one unelected body per week, analysis has revealed.
The proliferation of arms-length bodies, task forces and advisory councils comes as economic growth has stalled following Labour’s election victory and £40billion in tax rises.
The expansion of bureaucracy follows last month’s revelation that ministers had commissioned 67 reviews and consultations during their first five months in power.
Concerns are mounting that the additional red tape could further hamper Britain’s economic recovery.
Among the new bodies, Ed Miliband has established four energy-focused quangos to support his plans for electricity decarbonisation by 2030.
Miliband has subsequently created Mission Control to develop and implement the Government’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan.
Two additional bodies have also been established under his direction: a new National Energy System Operator and the Solar Taskforce.
Former Conservative Party chairman Richard Holden condemned the expansion, stating: “It’s a tale as old as time.
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Critics have suggested that additional red tape could hamper Britain’s economic recovery
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“Labour establishes a quango to duplicate work already underway in the public sector and the outcome is all-too-predictable: more bureaucracy, more regulation and higher taxes for working Brits.”
Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, the former business secretary, called for “a great cull of quangos”.
“Instead, Labour seem bent on giving us Government by the quango, for the quango,” he said.
“They want Government done by their friends and they want it done away from prying eyes by organisations that are simply not accountable.”
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has established four energy-focused quangos to support his Net Zero plans
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The analysis by the Daily Mail shows many new bodies appear to duplicate existing functions.
The Government’s new Border Security Command performs similar duties to the former Small Boats Operational Command while the newly established Regulatory Innovation Office closely mirrors the work of the Regulatory Horizons Council.
In the transport sector, November saw the creation of the Jet Zero Taskforce under former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh.
This taskforce appears to replicate the responsibilities of the existing Jet Zero Council, which was already advising on sustainable aviation fuel development.
John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers Alliance, warned: “Taxpayers will wonder who actually governs Britain given the proliferation of unelected, unaccountable quangos.”
He added that politicians create these bodies only to “recoil with horror when they realise that they are completely powerless in the face of this web of organisations, rules and procedures”.
When questioned about the Government’s approach, the Prime Minister defended their actions, stating: “Like any business organisation, you’ve got to understand what you’re dealing with once you’re in a position to deal with it.”
