One of the Tory’s main plans is to cut the number of consultants working for various government departments. Without it, it is doubtful that a Conservative government would enable local authorities to freeze council tax (a policy that incidentally makes this blogger think the Shadow Chancellor reads Coffee House).
The desire to cut the cost of consultants is understandable. Spending on consultants across the public sector reached to a whopping £3bn in 2006, according to the National Audit Office. The cost has probably gone up since then. The Conservatives think they can save a total of £500 million in the first full year of government, and by £1 billion in all subsequent years (although this also includes government advertising).
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James Delingpole
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The huge increase in the use of consultants is almost entirely caused by the NHS, where spending on consultants in 2006 jumped to more than £500m.
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