What is a Quango? Definition, Examples, and Functions

A Quango (Quasi-Autonomous Non-Governmental Organisation) is an organisation that operates independently of the government but still receives public funding and has some degree of autonomy. The term was first used in the United Kingdom in the 1980s to describe non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) that were set up to provide services such as healthcare, education, and transportation.

QUANGOs are often created to provide a specific service or function that is not the responsibility of the government, but they are still accountable to the government and must operate within certain guidelines and regulations. They are typically funded by the government, but they may also receive funding from other sources such as private donations or fees for services.

Some examples of QUANGOs include:

* The National Health Service (NHS) in the UK, which is a QUANGO that provides healthcare services to the public.
* The BBC, which is a QUANGO that provides television, radio, and online content to the public.
* The Transport for London (TfL), which is a QUANGO that is responsible for managing transportation in London, including the London Underground, buses, and roads.

The term QUANGO is often used to describe organisations that have a mix of public and private characteristics, and are not fully independent from government control.