Consultants’ Brexit bonanza

MINISTERS spent an extra £600million on consultants last year because of Brexit.

The figures reveal the toll of planning Britain’s departure from the EU as Theresa May struggles to win support for her deal.

But they also provoked accusations that firms are ‘cashing in’ on Brexit uncertainty.

The Government spent £1.55billion on the consultants last year across all departments – a 60 per cent increase on the previous year’s £964million. The Cabinet Office, in particular, spent almost £24million on the services.

Jon Trickett, Labour’s shadow minister for the Cabinet Office, said: ‘The Tories’ cuts and chaotic handling of the Brexit negotiations have created a gold rush for consultancy firms, who are cashing in at an alarming rate’.