§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the consultancies employed by his Department in the last five years, indicating(a) what the consultancies were for, (b) to whom the consultancies were awarded, (c) the total amount spent on each consultancy and (d) the total amount spent on each contract in the last five years. [6555]
§ Mr. BurtThe information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows:
The Department's use of consultants is set against the background of a huge business with a major programme to deliver policy changes and business efficiencies.
Among other things consultants have been used to contribute to:
- Increasing efficiency;
- Market testing initiatives;
- Major structural changes following the creation of executive agencies;
- Introduction of new benefits;
- Development of information systems; and
- Implementation of Departmental programmes.
From July/August 1993, the DSS commenced using framework agreements for the procurement of management and IT consultancy. Framework agreements in respect of management consultancy and related services were awarded to the following companies:
- Andersen Consulting
- Coopers and Lybrand
- Ernst and Young
- EFD (Electronic Facilities Design)
- KPMG Peat Marwick
- Merz and McLellan
- PA Consulting
- P-E International
- Price Waterhouse.
Framework agreements in respect of IT consultancy and related services were awarded to the following companies:
- Admiral Management Services
- Andersen Consulting
- ASE Consulting
- Computer People Limited
- Coopers and Lybrand
- Cray Systems (P-E International)
- CSS Trident
- Easams
- EDS
- FI Group
- Hoskins
- IBM UK Ltd
- International Computers Ltd.
- Logica
- Methods Applications
- NEF Computer Services (Nesco)
163 - PA Consulting
- Parity Solutions
- Price Waterhouse
- Sema Group
- Siemens Nixdorf
- Taskforce Group plc.
Most contracts let since August 1993 have been awarded to suppliers on these framework agreements.
The information requested on the total amount spent on each consultancy is considered commercial in confidence.
The total amount spent on each contract in the last five years is also considered commercial in confidence. However, the total amount spent on consultancy and the number of contracts awarded in the last five years is in the table.
Year Number of contracts Total cost (£ million) 1990–91 952 83.2 1991–92 933 69.7 1992–93 129 136.4 1993–94 235 34.0 1994–95 197 26.1 1 Figures for 1992–93 onwards refer solely to expenditure on consultancy services following work undertaken for the Efficiency Scrutiny into the Government's Use of External Consultants. Figures for earlier years include the cost of contracted services.