Agricultural workers, actors, human rights experts and members of the House of Lords joined a rally outside Parliament this week to protest against the government's Public Bodies Bill. Lord Hunt, who is leading opposition to the bill in the Lords, told the gathering on Wednesday (9 February) that bill was "a threat to our democracy". His fundamental objection is that it gives too much power to individual ministers to abolish organisations by parliamentary order.

Consumer protection was a typical example, Lord Hunt said. The government wants to abolish Consumer Focus and transfer its work to Citizens Advice Bureaux. But in Birmingham, the council has withdrawn its £600,000 pa grant and all the CABs will close. The same cuts are happening elsewhere. Lord Hunt questioned how, in these circumstances, the CABs can take on the work of Consumer Focus.

Lord Hunt said there had been very few letters from organisations listed in Schedule 7, which lists almost 200 bodies which can be brought within the scope of the bill at any time, because they have been told that "it is not their duty or right to write to parliamentarians".

Karon Monaghan, QC said the bill was a "shocking, scandalous piece of legislation". She focused on the Equality and Human Rights Commission, which "has helped the UK become a better respecter of human rights."

She said an act of Parliament which hands over the right to make laws to ministers "will violate our fundamental concepts of the rule of law."

Actor and Equity member Ellie Paskell said: "Since the setting up of the UK Film Council, there has been a 50 per cent increase to the economy from the film industry. These cuts will cripple our industry. They are cruel, selfish and will only benefit the powerful and the rich."

She pointed out that the Arts Council, which faces a 30 per cent cut in its funding, generates £2.6bn for the economy from a £121m investment.