This book investigates the rapid expansion and functional impact of internal oversight bodies within the British government, commonly referred to as the 'regulatory state'. The authors, a team of distinguished scholars, utilize two years of direct access to Whitehall to analyze the proliferation of inspectors, auditors, and grievance-handling agencies. They argue that the growth of these 'waste-watchers' and 'sleaze-busters' represents a significant shift in how public organizations are managed and held accountable in the modern era.

Experts recognize this work as a foundational text for understanding the mechanics of the British regulatory state. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which provides a rigorous examination of administrative reform.