Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what the cost to the public purse has been of private consultancy firms working for his Department on the process of the UK leaving the EU since his Department was established.

The Department for Exiting the European Union has used the services of a number of consulting firms to help with departmental set-up and planning. A small number of individuals are also on secondment from consultancy firms and external organisations. The Department will make further use of external support and recruitment as appropriate to ensure it has the right expertise available.

The total expenditure on professional services and consultancy in the financial year 2016-17 will be published in the annual report and accounts. Specific contracts awarded over £10,000 and items of expenditure over £25,000 will be reported in due course.