Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much his Department has spent on external consultants in each of the last five years; and if he will publish a breakdown of (a) the amount paid to each consultancy contracted, (b) the name of each consultancy contracted, (c) the specific matters on which they were consulted and (d) whether each contract was subject to usual Government procurement rules.

I refer the hon. Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath to the answer the former Minister for Higher and Further Education gave on 1 July 2022 to Question 22552, which provides a total of expenditure of consultants in the last five years.

The information supporting questions (a) and (c) is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

The information supporting question (b) is only available in part. Within the time and value for money considerations applicable, it has been possible to provide an analysis of the 2021/22 financial year expenditure, by supplier. This analysis can be found in the attached table. Information relating to financial years prior to 2021/22 is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

The department adheres to government/public procurement regulations, uses Crown Commercial frameworks where available and ensures best value for procurements. In addition, if the requirements exceed £20,000 or three-months duration, they are subject to Cabinet Office spend controls.