Welsh Conservatives have raised concerns about Assembly Government spending of over £21m on external consultants in the last year.
Figures released under the UK Government’s measures to improve openness and accountability in government and public service spending show that the Assembly Government spent £21,191,000 in 2009/10 on outside consultants.
Commenting on the figures, Leader of the Opposition Nick Bourne AM (pictured) said:
“It is ironic that this spending has been thrown up by moves to make central government more open given how difficult it has proven to obtain spending figures such as these from the Assembly Government in the past.
“It certainly raises questions over the way the Assembly Government is spending tax payers’ money. It is also deeply concerning that spending on external consultants has more than doubled since last year.
“It is difficult to reach any other conclusion that this spending needs to be properly scrutinised.”
Shadow Finance Minister Nick Ramsay AM added:
“It beggars belief that while households across Wales are under increasing pressure, the Assembly Government is spending vast amounts of tax payers’ money on external consultants.
“While the UK Government is working hard to reduce the deficit and to ease the burden on taxpayers, the Assembly Government does not seem to be taking the necessary steps to get its own house in order.”
