Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 11
11
The Chancellor’s July 2024 speech set targets to cut consultancy spending, including an immediate halt...
Conclusion
The Chancellor’s July 2024 speech set targets to cut consultancy spending, including an immediate halt to non-essential services and halving future spend to save £550 million in 2024–25. These goals were reiterated in the 2024 Autumn Budget. Cabinet Office and HM Treasury are jointly monitoring departments’ progress against the savings targets.25 17 C&AG’s Report, para 1.33 18 Q 27 19 Qq 27-28 20 Qq 30, 39 21 Q 29 22 Q 30 23 Qq 27-28 24 Q 31 25 C&AG’s Report, para 1.30 9 In written evidence provided after the session, the Cabinet Office explained that the baseline for achieving £550 million in savings in 2024–25 was calculated using departmental forecasts, submitted through OSCAR in June 2024. This amount totalled £1.5 billion, excluding expenditure related to the NHS, the Devolved Governments, and Local Authorities.26