National Highways spent £280,921 on external public affairs consultants between July 2024 and May this year, on top of around £1.9 million on its own in-house team over the same period.
The combined spending, totalling nearly £2.2 million, emerged in a series of written parliamentary answers. Officials confirmed the external contract ran alongside the in-house operation throughout.
The arrangement was first agreed under the previous Conservative government, predating Labour's time in office.
Political reaction
Shadow Transport Minister Greg Smith seized on the figures, saying: "This is exactly the kind of wasteful, bloated management that Labour always let run riot."
He added: "National Highways has an entire in-house team devoted to public affairs and then went and hired external consultants on top of it. Nearly £2.2million of taxpayers' money, two overlapping teams doing the same job, and not one person in Labour's Department for Transport apparently thought to ask why."
Labour hits back
A Labour source hit back, accusing the Conservatives of an "embarrassing level of amnesia." Speaking to the Sunday Express, the source said the Tories had "wasted taxpayers' money in an effort to score cheap political points, but has only revealed further evidence of his own incompetence."
Labour urged their rivals to "get a grip", adding "this Labour government will continue to invest in transport to make everyday journeys easier."
Tax campaigners criticise spending
William Yarwood of the TaxPayers' Alliance said motorists would be baffled by the spending. He said: "Motorists stuck in traffic and dodging potholes will wonder why National Highways is spending millions on external affairs and public affairs contracts."
Mr Yarwood added: "National Highways should focus on fixing the network and cutting waste, not splashing cash on lobbyists and comms staff."
National Highways defends arrangement
A National Highways spokesperson defended the arrangement, saying its external affairs team "engages directly with a wide range of regional and national stakeholders", with outside agency support providing "specialist support, insight and event delivery".
