The Cabinet Office is unable to demonstrate that the target to halve consultancy spend is an effective way to reduce spending on external providers. The Chancellor announced her intention to stop all non- essential spending on consultancy immediately and halve the government’s spend on consultants in 2025–26. Cabinet Office wrote to all departments, requiring them to ensure they had internal controls in place for consultancy spending and to follow existing government guidance for procuring co...

The Cabinet Office is unable to demonstrate that the target to halve consultancy spend is an effective way to reduce spending on external providers. The Chancellor announced her intention to stop all non- essential spending on consultancy immediately and halve the government’s spend on consultants in 2025–26. Cabinet Office wrote to all departments, requiring them to ensure they had internal controls in place for consultancy spending and to follow existing government guidance for procuring consultants. However, departments often hire a consultancy firm to provide a package of services. Firms may provide consultancy, professional services and Type: conclusion | Number: 3 | Response status: response_pending