Public spending on consultants down but value for money questioned

21 February 2013

  • Welsh public bodies are spending less on consultants but cannot demonstrate value for money in how they plan, obtain and manage consultancy services, says a report published today by the Auditor General.

    Public bodies spent £133 million on consultants in 2010-11, £40 million less than in 2007-08. All sectors - local government, health and the Welsh Government - recorded significant drops in spending. But despite these reductions very few public bodies were able to demonstrate that their expenditure represented good value for money. This is largely due to inadequate data, insufficient collaboration and a failure to adopt widely accepted good practice.

    Public bodies spent £133 million on consultants in 2010-11, £40 million less than in 2007-08. All sectors - local government, health and the Welsh Government - recorded significant drops in spending. But despite these reductions very few public bodies were able to demonstrate that their expenditure represented good value for money. This is largely due to inadequate data, insufficient collaboration and a failure to adopt widely accepted good practice.