Alcohol quango set to be scrapped
The Alcohol Education Research Council (AERC) is among the list of quangos — or taxpayer-funded public bodies — that could be scrapped as part of the government's spending review.
The Daily Telegraph has reported this morning that 177 of the bodies are to be shut down. The list includes the Security Industry Authority.
The biggest high profile casualties of the cull are reported to be the Health Protection Agency and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
A further four bodies are said to be facing privatisation, with an additional 129 set to be merged.
However the government has said the leak was "irresponsible" and that it regretted extra uncertainty for employees it caused.
A spokeswoman for the Cabinet Office said: "We are not going to comment on the specific details of a leaked document. The government has made it clear that it is committed to radically increasing accountability and improving efficiency."
Research
The AERC's principal tasks include funding alcohol research and development projects as well as providing small grants and studentships to individuals working in the alcohol field.
Its most recent work, earlier this September, outlined what it classed as a north south divide among people's drinking habits.
On its website, the AERC said: "The AERC does not receive government funding; most of our income comes from our charitable endowment.
"We are now in discussion with the Dept. of Health to see how the AERC can continue to use these funds to contribute to the development of the evidence base around alcohol misuse."
Business as usual
The options under consideration would each allow the Alcohol Education & Research Fund to continue.
"Regardless of any future decisions about the AERC itself, we are confident that all concerned would wish to maintain the commitment to our existing grant-holders and to those who have applied, or may be thinking of applying, to this year's programme.
"We have more than sufficient financial reserves to meet these commitments and such applicants/potential applicants should not be concerned and view the situation as 'business as usual'."
