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There are a number of Government departments and other public bodies which the Ombudsman can investigate.
Before contacting us you should try to make your complaint to the organisation involved. After doing this, if you don't receive a satisfactory answer from the organisation or if you have not had a response, please contact our Helpline for further help and advice on 0845 015 4033.
Use the alphabet bar below for help with the name of the organisation you are seeking.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
The Ombudsman can investigate complaints against the administrative actions of a wide range of government departments and other public bodies, listed below, or the actions of organisations acting on their behalf.
Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee
Advisory Board on Naturalisation and Integration
Advisory Board on the Registration of Homeopathic Products
Advisory Committee on Advertising
Advisory Committee on Animal Feedingstuffs
Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances.
Advisory Committee on Carbon Abatement
Advisory Committee on Clinical Excellence Awards
Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens
Advisory Committee on the Government Art Collection
Advisory Committee on Hazardous Substances
Advisory Committee on Microbiological Safety of Food
Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes
Advisory Committee on Organic Standards
Advisory Committee on Pesticides
Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment
Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS)
Advisory Council on Historical Manuscripts
Advisory Council on Libraries
Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs
Advisory Council on National Records and Archives (includes Advisory Council on Historical Manuscripts and Advisory Council on Public Records)
Advisory Council on Public Records
Advisory Group on Hepatitis
Advisory Group on Medical Countermeasures
Advisory Panel on Beacon Councils
Advisory Panel on Country Information
Advisory Panel on Public Sector Information
Advisory Panel on Standards for the Planning Inspectorate
Agricultural dwelling house advisory committees
Agricultural Wages Board for England and Wales
Agricultural wages committees
Air Quality Expert Group
Alcohol Education and Research Council
Animal Welfare Advisory Committee
Animals Procedures Committee
Appeal Officer for Community Interest Companies
Arts and Humanities Research Council
Arts Council of England (Arts Council England)
Assets Recovery Agency (HM Revenue and Customs functions only)
Authorised Conveyancing Practitioners Board
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Better Regulation Commission
Big Lottery Fund
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Board of Trade
Border and Immigration Agency (part of the Home Office)
Boundary Commission for England
Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland
Boundary Commission for Scotland
Boundary Commission for Wales
British Association for Central and Eastern Europe
British Council
British Educational Communications and Technology Agency
British Film Institute
British Hallmarking Council
British Library Board
British Museum
British Pharmacopoeia Commission
British Potato Council
British Tourist Authority (VisitBritain)
Building Regulations Advisory Committee
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Cabinet Office (parts of)
Capacity Builders
Central Advisory Committee on War Pensions
Central Bureau for Educational Visits and Exchanges
Central Office of Information
Certification Office for Trade Unions and Employers' Associations
Charity Commission
The Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice for Northern Ireland
Child Support Agency (part of the Department for Work and Pensions)
Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS)
Civil Aviation Authority
Civil Justice Council
Coal Authority
Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment
Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection (Healthcare Commission)
Commission for Integrated Transport
Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health
Commission for Racial Equality
Commission for Rural Communities
Commission for Social Care Inspection
Commission for the New Towns (English Partnerships)
Commission on Human Medicines
Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses
Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses (Northern Lighthouse Board)
Committee on the Biological Safety of Blood and Tissues for Transplantation
Committee on Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment
Committee on the Medical Aspects of Air Pollutants
Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment
Committee on Mutagenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment
Committee on Products and Processes for use in Public Water Supply
Committee on Radioactive Waste Management
Committee on the Safety of Devices
Committee on Standards in Public Life
Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the United Kingdom
Community Development Foundation
Compensation Agency (part of the Northern Ireland Office)
Compensation Recovery Unit (part of Department for Work and Pensions)
Competition Commission
Competition Service
Complaints Audit Committee
Construction Industry Training Board
Consumer Council for Postal Services (Postwatch)
Consumer Council for Water
Corporation of the Trinity House of Deptford Strond (Trinity House Lighthouse Service)
Correctional Services Accreditation Panel
Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils
Council for Science and Technology
Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority
Criminal Records Bureau (part of the Home Office)
Crown Estate Office
Culture East Midlands
Culture North East
Culture North West
Culture South East
Culture South West
Culture West Midlands
Cycling England
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Darwin Advisory Committee
Defence Nuclear Safety Committee
Defence Scientific Advisory Committee
DEFRA Science Advisory Council
Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform
Department for Children, Schools and Families
Department for Communities and Local Government
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Department for Education and Skills (now Department for Children, Schools and Families or Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills)
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
Department for International Development
Department for Transport
Department for Work and Pensions
Department of Health
Department of Trade and Industry (now Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform or Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills)
Design Council
Disability and Carers Service (part of Department for Work and Pensions)
Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (part of the Department for Transport)
Driving Standards Agency (part of the Department for Transport)
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Economic and Social Research Council
Electoral Commission
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Engineering Construction Industry Training Board
England Implementation Group
English Heritage (Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England)
English Partnerships (Urban Regeneration Agency and Commission for the New Towns)
English Sports Council (Sport England)
English Tourist Board (Enjoy England)(part of VisitBritain)
Environment Agency
Ethnic Minority Business Forum
Expert Advisory Group on AIDS
Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards
Export Credits Guarantee Department
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The Director of Fair Access to Higher Education (OFFA)
Farm Animal Welfare Council
Firebuy Limited
Fleet Air Arm Museum
Food from Britain
Food Standards Agency
Football Licensing Authority
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Forensic Science Northern Ireland (part of the Northern Ireland Office)
Forestry Commission
Fuel Poverty Advisory Group
Futurebuilders Advisory Panel
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Gambling Commission
Gangmasters Licensing Authority
Gas and Electricity Consumer Council (Energywatch)
Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (OFGEM)
Geffrye Museum
Gene Therapy Advisory Committee
General Social Care Council
Genetics and Insurance Committee
Government Actuary's Department
(only certain functions to do with insurance companies)
Government Offices (for English Regions)
The Great Britain-China Centre
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Health and Safety Commission
Health and Safety Executive
Health Protection Agency
Her Majesty's Stationery Office
Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee
Heritage Lottery Fund (see National Heritage Memorial Fund)
Higher Education Funding Council for England
Highways Agency (part of Department for Transport)
Historic Royal Palaces
HM Courts Service (part of the Ministry of Justice)
HM Prison Service (part of the Ministry of Justice)
HM Revenue and Customs
HM Treasury (but not National Savings and Investments)
Home-Grown Cereals Authority
Home Office
The Horniman Public Museum and Public Park Trust
Horserace Betting Levy Board
Horticultural Development Council
Housing Corporation
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
Human Genetics Commission
Human Tissue Authority
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Identity and Passport Service (part of the Home Office)
Immigration Services Commissioner
Imperial War Museum
Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV
Independent Reconfiguration Panel
Independent Regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts (Monitor)
Independent Review Panel for Advertising
Independent Review Panel on the Classification of Borderline Products
Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB
Industrial Development Advisory Board
Information Commissioner
The International Rail Regulator
Investors in People UK
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Jobcentre Plus (part of the Department for Work and Pensions)
Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation
Joint Nature Conservation Committee
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Land Registry
Law Commission
Learning and Skills Council for England
Leasehold Advisory Service
Legal Deposit Advisory Panel
Legal Services Commission
Legal Services Complaints Commissioner
Living East
Lord President of the Council's Office (part of the Cabinet Office)
Low Pay Commission
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Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission
Measurement Advisory Committee
Meat and Livestock Commission
Medical Research Council
Medical Workforce Standing Advisory Committee
Milk Development Council
Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Justice
Museum of London
Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester
Museums, Libraries and Archives Council
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National Army Museum
National Biological Standards Board (UK)
National Community Forum
National Consumer Council
National Employer Advisory Board
National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA)
National Forest Company
National Gallery
National Heritage Memorial Fund (including Heritage Lottery Fund)
National Insurance Contributions Office (NICO) (part of HM Revenue & Customs)
National Lottery Commission
National Maritime Museum
National Museum of Science and Industry
National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside
National Policing Improvement Agency
National Portrait Gallery
National Specialist Commissioning Advisory Group
National Victims Advisory Panel
Natural England
Natural Environment Research Council
Natural History Museum
Northern Ireland Court Service
Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
Northern Ireland Legal Services Commission
Northern Ireland Office
Northern Ireland Police Fund
Northern Ireland Policing Board
Northern Ireland Prison Service (part of the Northern Ireland Office)
Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
Nuclear Liabilities Fund
Nuclear Research Advisory Council
Nutrition Forum
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Office for National Statistics
Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted)
Office of the Children's Commissioner
Office of Communications (OFCOM)
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (now Department for Communities and Local Government)
Office of Fair Trading
Office of Public Oversight Commissioner
Office of Public Sector Information
The Office of Rail Regulation (including the International Rail Regulator)
Office of the Regulator of Community Interest Companies
Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland
The Official Solicitor to the Supreme Court
Oil and Pipelines Agency
Olympic Delivery Authority
Olympic Lottery Distributor
Ordnance Survey
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Parades Commission for Northern Ireland
Parole Board
Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council
Patient Information Advisory Group
Partnerships for Schools
Pensions Regulator
Pensions Service (part of the Department for Work and Pensions)
Pesticide Residues Committee
Planning Inspectorate (part of Department for Communities and Local Government)
Postal Services Commission (Postcomm)
Postgraduate Medical Education and Training
Board
Probation Board for Northern Ireland
Public Guardianship Office (part of Ministry of Justice)
Public Record Office (National Archives)
Public Services Productivity Panel
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Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
Quality Improvement Agency
Rail Passengers' Council (Passenger Focus)
Railway Heritage Committee
Regional Development Agencies (other than the London Development Agency)
Regional industrial development boards
Registrar of Public Lending Right
Remploy Ltd
Renewables Advisory Board
Rent Service (part of Department for Work and Pensions)
Residuary Bodies
Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art
Royal Air Force Museum
Royal Armouries Museum
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution
Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts (now merged with the Public Records Office as the National Archives)
Royal Marines Museum
Royal Mint
Royal Naval Museum
Royal Navy Submarine Museum
Royal Ulster Constabulary George Cross Foundation
Rural Payments Agency (part of Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
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School Food Trust
Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition
Sea Fish Industry Authority
Sector Skills Development Agency
Security Industry Authority
Sentencing Advisory Panel
Sentencing Guidelines Council
Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (part of the Ministry of Defence)
Sir John Soane's Museum
SITPRO Ltd
Small Business Council
Small Business Investment Taskforce
Specialist Advisory Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance
Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee
Standards Board for England
Standing Dental Advisory Committee
Statistics Commission
Sustainable Development Commission
Sustainable Energy Policy Advisory Board
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Tate Gallery
Tax Credits Office (part of HM Revenue & Customs)
Technology Strategy Board
Training and Development Agency for Schools
Treasure Valuation Committee
Treasury Solicitor's Department
Tribunals Service (part of the Ministry of Justice)
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UK Chemical Weapons Convention National Authority Advisory Committee
UK Film Council
UK National Authority Advisory Group
UK Passport Service (now Identity and Passport Service)
UK Sports Council (UK Sport)
UKvisas (part of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Home Office)
Union Modernisation Fund Supervisory Board
United Kingdom Advisory Panel for Healthcare Workers Infected with Blood borne Viruses
United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
United Kingdom Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority
Unlinked Anonymous Surveys Steering Group
Unrelated Live Transplant Regulatory Authority
Urban development corporations established for urban development areas wholly in England
Urban Regeneration Agency (English Partnerships)
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Valuation Office Agency (part of HM Revenue and Customs)
Valuation Tribunal Service
Veterans Agency (now Service Personnel and Veterans Agency)
Veterinary Products Committee
Veterinary Residues Committee
Victims Advisory Panel
Victoria and Albert Museum
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Wales Office
Wallace Collection
War Pensions Committees
Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat)
Westminster Foundation for Democracy
Women's National Commission
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Yorkshire Culture
Youth Justice Agency of Northern Ireland (part of the Northern Ireland Office)
Youth Justice Board for England and Wales
Zoos Forum
The above list cannot be comprehensive because the names and responsibilities of departments can change; and though not named here some bodies may be legally connected to, or acting on behalf of, others which she can investigate. In addition, the Ombudsman can look at the administrative actions of the staff (not members) of certain tribunals.
In some cases we cannot look into complaints against bodies listed above if the complaints concern Scotland or Wales. If in doubt please contact us.
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