Public Bodies are defined as: bodies which have a role in the processes of national Government, but are not a Government department or part of one, and which accordingly operate to a greater or lesser extent at arm's length from Ministers.In simple terms, this means a national or regional public body, carrying out its day-to-day functions independently of Ministers, but for which Ministers are ultimately accountable. Public bodies are known in Government circles as 'Non-departmental Public Bodies' (NDPBs). They are often referred to by others as 'quangos' ('quango' derives from the name under which these bodies were previously known - 'quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations').