Recommendation 20

The Cabinet Office set out that there is sometimes a need for consultants with 43 Q 101; C&AG’s Report, para 15 44 Qq 53, 54; C&AG’s Report, para 26 45 Qq 5, 18 46 Qq 46, 53; C&AG’s Report para 17 47 Q 53 48 Q 5 49 Qq 108–109 50 Committee of Public Accounts, Brexit Consultancy Costs, One Hundred and Twelfth Report of Session 2017–19, HC 2342, 12 September 2019 51 Qq 74–75, 78 14 Whitehall preparations for EU Exit specialist skills, or temporary staff to work on short-term projects, which we recognise, but agreed that as a whole government made too much use of consultants and contractors. It intends to reduce government’s spending on consultants, working with departments to developing additional capacity and skills in-house to reduce the need for consultants. This work is particularly focussed on core skills, particularly in the digital area. We look forward to seeing the success of these initiatives, as set out by the Cabinet Office, in reduced expenditure on consultants and contractors, and clear evidence of the increased skill level of civil servants.52 52 Qq 78–79 Whitehall preparations for EU Exit 15 2 Preparations for the end of the transition period Communications