Government Projects Cost to Public Purse 2023-03-16
2023-03-16
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The question addresses the need to reduce costs in public sector projects.
What steps his Department is taking to reduce the cost to the public purse of Government projects?
The Infrastructure and Projects Authority's standards, tools and training for Government projects help to ensure that projects are set up for success. The IPA's transforming infrastructure performance programme is helping to reduce the cost of projects.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The question highlights the issue of public sector workers earning more than the Prime Minister, including £620,000 paid to the chief executive of HS2 Ltd.
Does the Minister agree that we have to demand value for money from such appointments and cap excessive salaries from the public purse?
I agree with my hon. Friend that it is essential that we get value for money from the investments we make in our people. There is a role for well-paid people to deliver important projects for the people of this country, but I assure him that any payments above £150,000—that covers the entire remuneration package, not just the salary—must be not only justified by the relevant Department, but personally signed off by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, who takes a very close interest in such matters.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The question addresses the lifting of caps on consultancy spending by Government Departments.
Will the Minister reinstate the cap and instead focus on the internal development of skills?
There is a difference between a cap and a control, and it is up to Departments to ensure that they are getting value for money in what they spend. Cutting bureaucracy and cutting exercises that take up a lot of civil service time but that are not productive is a good thing. There is a role for consultancy, alongside growing and nurturing the resources inside the service.
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Assessment & feedback
reinstating the cap on consultancy spending
Cutting Bureaucracy
Growing Internal Talent
Response accuracy