Guidance

Public Bodies Handbook: Part 2.1. Setting-Up an Arm's Length Body

This guidance provides an overview of how to set up a new arm’s length body, through to the first review period.

Documents

Setting Up a New Arm’s-Length Body (ALB): Guidance for Departments (PDF)

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email accessible.formats@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

Arm’s-length bodies (ALBs) are a specific category of public body that are administratively classified by the Cabinet Office. They are a critical delivery arm of the government, providing public services across the United Kingdom.

This step by step guidance will support departments as they set up a new ALB.

The guidance is part of - and should be used in conjunction with - the existing suite of Public Bodies Handbook Guidance.

Published 9 May 2024