The UK Treasury has allocated £18 million of taxpayer funds to consultants for a Microsoft-related project.
This expenditure is part of a broader trend, with the UK government’s consulting market reaching record revenues of £18 billion, as reported by The Consulting Report.
In a recent development, the UK government and Microsoft have entered into a five-year agreement to support digital transformation across public sector organisations.
This partnership aims to enhance service delivery and drive economic growth through the adoption of technologies like Microsoft 365 and the Azure cloud platform.
However, concerns have been raised about the government’s escalating expenditure on consultancy services.
Despite intentions to reduce such spending, the UK government spent £3.4 billion on management consultants in the last fiscal year, highlighting a persistent reliance on external expertise.
Additionally, the UK Cabinet Office recently paused a £9 million deal with Microsoft, reflecting ongoing scrutiny over public sector contracts and the need for greater transparency in government spending.
These developments underscore the importance of balancing technological advancement with fiscal responsibility, ensuring that public funds are utilised effectively to benefit citizens.
