More than £15 billion has been “wasted” on Regional Development Agencies in England, including the one serving the West Midlands, it was claimed today.

The TaxPayers’ Alliance said local economies had performed better before the “failed quangos” were set up. It said they had contributed nothing since they were established in 1999 but had cost almost £600 per household. Abolishing the agencies, which include Advantage West Midlands, would save enough money to cut 4p off small firms’ corporation tax, the group said.

The alliance alleged that on almost every measure, including employment and economic growth, English regions performed better before 1999.

RDAs were “riddled’ with waste and excess, including extravagant trips abroad, lavish conferences and “ludicrous” taxi expenses, the report claimed.

And it said the West Midlands had the worst record for job creation.

Advantage West Midlands is also singled out for criticism after spending £118,000 on a conference to discuss the region’s economic future, and for “lavishing” £3.6 million on the BizTV website.

The study also reveals that in 2006/07 five AWM employees, including former chief executive John Edwards, were paid salaries of more than £100,000.

But Advantage West Midlands spokesman Phil Brown said the report contained information that was largely out of date, inaccurate and taken out of context. “Since 1999, Advantage West Midlands has consistently delivered against the targets set for them by Government that support business, foster economic development and help to create and safeguard jobs in the region,” he said.

“Working without partners we have created or safeguarded over 17,600 jobs in 2007/08 with more than 12,200 businesses provided with high quality advice and assistance they need to grow. More than 150 hectares of derelict land is back in productive use as key regeneration projects across the region take shape.

“In March 2007 the National Audit Office Independent Performance Assessment awarded Advantage West Midlands the highest possible rating of four out of four, concluding the agency was performing strongly’.”