Government Departments: Communication and Consultants
The question
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has provided guidance to (a) Government departments and (b) arm’s-length bodies on steps that should be taken to reduce spending on (i) communications and (ii) consultancy fees, in the context of the commitments made in her Department’s policy paper entitled Fixing the foundations: Public spending audit 2024-25, CP 1133, published in July 2024.
Answered by Darren Jones
The responsibility for spending decisions within Departments and Arms Length Bodies (ALBs) rests with Accounting Officers (AOs).
Overarching guidance for appropriate use of public funds is set out in Managing Public Money, whilst specific guidance on effective use of consultancy services is set out in the government’s Consultancy Playbook.
As part of the Spending Review, HM Treasury will require each department to provide updated estimates of their planned spending on consultants and review to ensure compliance. HM Treasury and Cabinet Office continue to monitor consultancy spending to ensure that commitments set out by the Chancellor are met.
To reduce communications spending across government, Government Communication Service conducted a review of all planned major government communications campaigns to ensure that these offer value for money for the taxpayer, are joined-up and deliver the greatest impact.
The Government will provide an update on the delivery of these commitments at the Budget.
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