<p>The figures for financial years 2020-21 and 2021-22 have previously been provided in PQ 137042. The figure for 2022-23 has been updated to reflect the spend across the full financial year.</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Financial Year</p></td><td><p>Spend (Ex VAT)</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2020/2021</p></td><td><p>£116,358.67</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2021/2022</p></td><td><p>£61,824.44</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2022/2023</p></td><td><p>£64,731.76</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Total</p></td><td><p>£242,914.87</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>External recruitment agencies and search firms are an important resource which support the Civil Service's ability to recruit - to find talented people, in the right places, with the right capabilities to deliver for the people of the United Kingdom. The Civil Service has developed a number of commercial frameworks which provide transparency, high quality services and value for money.</p>