Fury over money ‘wasted’ on civil service networks

HUNDREDS of thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money is being spent on civil service support groups despite efforts by ministers to cut civil service costs.

An investigation by the Taxpayers’ Alliance has found at least £309,090 of taxpayers’ money has been spent to support 187 staff networks across 12 departments over the past three years. Not all of the groups received direct funding from the taxpayer.

The overall number of groups is likely to be much higher, due to departments including the Cabinet Office, Ministry of Defence, Department for Health and Social Care and the Treasury refusing to provide the information.

Conservatives criticised the expenditure. MP David Jones said: “It sounds like a ludicrous expense of public money. If people want that support they can pay for it themselves.”

A government spokesman said they “were committed to ensuring taxpayers money is well spent” and that groups did provide “practical help”.