A study released by the Wales Audit Office highlighted failings within the public sector which undermined attempts to achieve value for money.

The study which looked at public spending on consultants found that while savings had been achieved, opportunities were missed which saw public sector departments fail to capitalise on other large million-pound cost savings.

A combination of a failure to adopt good practice, poor data and inefficient collaboration resulted in greater savings being missed from government spending over 2010-2011, with an estimated £23 million lost from potential further savings.

In a statement Huw Vaughan Thomas, auditor general for Wales, said consultants: “are risks if they are not managed effectively. Although expenditure on consultants has reduced since 2007-08, public bodies need to adopt the good practice”.

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