The launch of a quango website has gone some way to meet the critics who claim that they are undemocratic, secretive and inefficient. Information about the 1,000 quangos has always been available for those who knew where to find it, but the new site, with links to source information has simplified and speeded up data searching. Quangos fulfil a wide range of functions such as regulation e.g. Health and Safety Executive, commercial e.g. Scottish Enterprise and advisory e.g. Advisory Group on AIDS. The address is www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/quango

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With the focus on politicians following the elections to the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly, civil servants face equally tough challenges. The new administrations in Scotland and Wales will be served by civil servants who are part of the unified Civil Service. In the past few months the new working arrangements have been discussed in seminars, but how the plans will work out in practice in unknown. A major element of the challenge will be forging new relationships with Whitehall departments. Sir Richard Wilson, Head of the Civil Service, has expressed his confidence that the new arrangements will be made to work.

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