Well-run, cost effective public services are good for Scotland's competitiveness and overall economic performance. The Scottish Government is committed to achieving simpler, more effective public services for Scotland by removing unnecessary duplication and establishing structures which can support and drive the delivery of better outcomes for Scotland's people.
In 2008 the Scottish Government identified a baseline of 199 public bodies, since when the number has been reduced significantly. The number of public bodies has by July 2012 been reduced to 144. A summary of the changes to the landscape to date is provided in the Simplification Tracker.
The Scottish Government continues to look for opportunities to further simplify the public bodies sector, as can be seen in the current move to reduce the number of regional police and fire and rescue services.