Civil Service External Consultants 2023-05-11
2023-05-11
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Civil servants from the Public and Commercial Services Union are striking for fair pay. Labour is concerned about hiring expensive consultants.
With thousands of civil servants striking for a fair pay deal, how can the Minister justify hiring expensive consultants instead of using in-house expertise?
The civil service uses specialist consultancy where it represents good value for money. Civil servants provide advice across their capabilities, including modules on consultancy. Specialist consultants add value in areas like ship design where external expertise is more effective.
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Assessment & feedback
Explanation of using external consultants over internal staff despite strikes
We Do Make Use Of That Expertise
We Always Ensure That We Use The Propositions That Represent Best Value For Money
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Concern over high spending on external consultants compared to civil servants' salaries. The Paymaster General lifted controls on private contracts in February.
Spending on consultants is spiralling out of control, costing twice as much as a civil servant. Will the Minister commit to cutting unnecessary consultant spending and getting better grip on wasteful Government spending?
The government ensures best value for money in consulting services. We achieved £3.4 billion efficiency savings last year by focusing on cost reduction, and we will continue this approach to ensure taxpayer value.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment to cutting unnecessary consultant spending
We Always Ensure That We Use The Propositions That Represent Best Value For Money
We Managed To Secure £3.4 Billion Of Efficiency Savings Across Government Last Year
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Government spending on consultants is spiralling out of control, particularly in the Cabinet Office and Treasury. There are concerns about lack of public reporting.
Consultant spending is spiralling, costs twice as much as civil servants, with the Cabinet Office and Treasury being major offenders. Will the Minister commit to cutting unnecessary consultant spending and ensuring proper public reporting?
We ensure no consultant is ever employed where they are not needed. We focus on value for money, driving down costs and securing efficiency savings. However, the government will continue to use propositions that represent best value.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment to reducing excessive consultant spending
We Always Ensure That We Use The Propositions That Represent Best Value For Money
We Managed To Secure £3.4 Billion Of Efficiency Savings Across Government Last Year
Response accuracy