By David Scott
23 July 2009
The Scottish Government has defended public bodies’ spending on consultants following claims that three quangos have spent more than £360m on external advice in recent years.
The Scottish National Party administration at Holyrood was responding to figures released by the Scottish Conservatives showing that a total of £366m was spent on consultants over the past three years by three public bodies – Transport Scotland, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands & Islands Enterprise.
Transport Scotland, which was set up as a national transport body in 2006, was responsible for most of the money spent on outside help.
Tory Central Scotland MSP Margaret Mitchell said: ‘I am astonished that so much money has been spent on external consultants.
‘These are huge sums of taxpayers’ money which are going to line the pockets of professional advisers rather than improving the service.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘The figures have fallen under this government compared with the previous administration – by 25% for Scottish Enterprise, 37% for Highlands & Islands Enterprise and 16% in total for Transport Scotland.’
The spokesman added: ‘New, strengthened guidance… is aimed at ensuring consultants are used only when absolutely essential.’
In a report published in January, the public sector watchdog Audit Scotland called for better planning and management of consultants’ activities.
23 July 2009
The Scottish Government has defended public bodies’ spending on consultants following claims that three quangos have spent more than £360m on external advice in recent years.
The Scottish National Party administration at Holyrood was responding to figures released by the Scottish Conservatives showing that a total of £366m was spent on consultants over the past three years by three public bodies – Transport Scotland, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands & Islands Enterprise.
Transport Scotland, which was set up as a national transport body in 2006, was responsible for most of the money spent on outside help.
Tory Central Scotland MSP Margaret Mitchell said: ‘I am astonished that so much money has been spent on external consultants.
‘These are huge sums of taxpayers’ money which are going to line the pockets of professional advisers rather than improving the service.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘The figures have fallen under this government compared with the previous administration – by 25% for Scottish Enterprise, 37% for Highlands & Islands Enterprise and 16% in total for Transport Scotland.’
The spokesman added: ‘New, strengthened guidance… is aimed at ensuring consultants are used only when absolutely essential.’
In a report published in January, the public sector watchdog Audit Scotland called for better planning and management of consultants’ activities.
