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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Consultants

Asked by Kevin HollinrakeConservativeMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 14 February 2025UIN 25703

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 14 January 2025 to Question 22042 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Consultants, what firms have had their consultancy (a) work and (b) contracts discontinued since 5 July 2024; and what her Department's monetary target is for reduction in spending on consultancy fees in 2024-25.

Answered by Alex Norris

Addressing our biggest consultancy spends, since 5 July 2024 we have: a) achieved significant reductions in expenditure ahead of re-procuring our Neighbourhood Planning contract; b) we have also chosen not to re-procure another large spending contract for the Community Ownership Fund. Concerning the future publication of the corresponding MHCLG annual consultancy spend, I refer my Hon Friend to the answer I gave to UIN 22042 on 14 January 2025. C) In line with the Government’s overall ambition, we are targeting a 50% reduction in consulting spend by the end of financial year 2025-26, and we expect to be able to demonstrate material progress towards achieving this at the end of financial year 2024-25.

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