By our calculations, the Central Government has launched 80 consultations in its five months of office. These are in addition to its high-profile request for ideas on the deficit-reduction.

Given where the administration lies in the policy-making cycle, and that these figures exclude major high-profile reviews kicked off in the Coalition Agreement, this appears a reassuringly high figure. It confirms that whatever the messages Ministers have wished to send to Councils, Quangos and other public bodies, when it comes to their own Departments, consultation remains a vital process, and is being conducted in large numbers.