Hub to scale back government spending on external staff

The new Government Consulting Hub continues to be launched to boost internal expertise across government, saving the taxpayer money.

Based on Glasgow, Birmingham and London, the new hub will upskill civil servants, reducing the reliance upon external consultancy firms. It forms part of the Cabinet Office and will work across all departments to lessen consultancy spend by using internal civil service resources, instead of hiring external staff. In 2021/20, central government invest in external consultants was a lot more than £700 million.

The Cabinet Office can also be securing rules on consultancy spend, with departments necessary to submit for approval consultancy and professional services spend over £500,000. The spend threshold which requires central approval is £Ten million.

Cabinet Office Minister, Lord Agnew, said: “I want government to rely on and purchase the talent which I be aware of Civil Service already has. The federal government Consulting Hub will enhance the skills of our civil servants, make sure that where consultants continue to be needed, we obtain the best value for money and be certain that government departments interact for the greatest results. This is not nearly saving cash; it’s a genuine chance to guarantee that taxpayers get good value.”

The Government Consulting Hub has been running included in an airplane pilot programme inside the Cabinet Office within the last 3 months.