Public services are too often overburdened with bureaucracy and run for the benefit of officials rather than those who need them, a powerful group of MPs said today.

The Public Accounts Committee launched a scathing attack on the attitudes of many civil servants as it published its latest report on the sector.

Edward Leigh, the committee's chairman, said there were plenty of examples where "highly dedicated" teachers, doctors and other staff enhanced people's lives by delivering good quality services. But there were also too many cases where those in need were "let down" by "slow or inefficient" operations, he added.

"The members of my committee, and indeed the people of this country, are fed-up dealing with or hearing about services that are complex and inflexible, that are slow and inefficient and that do not meet the needs of people because of who they are, where they live or how old they are.

"And too often the service is designed for the convenience of the official and not the people on the other side of the desk who need the service."

The report concludes that people want public services that are "simple to use and responsive to their needs".