Press Association
Saturday 11th February 2012
Lord Mandelson's department paid consultants more than £6 million in just six months.
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) spent £6,354,203 in consultancy fees between its creation on June 5 2009 and December 31 2009.
Business Minister Pat McFadden released the figure in a Commons written reply to Liberal Democrat Julia Goldsworthy (Falmouth and Camborne).
He said details on expenses paid to consultants by BIS could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
A Department for Business spokesman said: "Central government spending on consultants has decreased by 31% over three years, and there is a commitment to reduce this by a further 50%.
"Consultancy support has proven central to the successful delivery of many government projects, however it is essential that this spending is accountable, appropriate and cost effective.
"The Department for Business uses consultants when it needs access to temporary specialised advice, skills and experience which are not available, and would not make commercial sense to retain in-house."
