A damning new investigation has pulled back the curtain on a shadowy 'consultocracy' operating at the highest levels of British power, feasting on a staggering £300 million of public money. This elite network of consultants, many of whom are former government insiders, are cashing in on the policy chaos following the Brexit referendum.
The report, spearheaded by research group Carbon Brief, exposes a revolving door between Whitehall and private consulting firms. It details how these 'puppet masters' are hired to shape and implement policies they often helped design while in public service, creating a glaring conflict of interest and a monumental drain on the public purse.
The £300m Gold Rush
The analysis points to a specific period of political turmoil—the years following the 2016 EU referendum—as the catalyst for this spending spree. With the civil service stretched thin and navigating unprecedented complexity, the government turned to external 'experts'.
This created a gold rush for consulting firms, who charged premium rates for their services. The investigation suggests that rather than filling a temporary gap, this has become a costly crutch, normalising the outsourcing of core government functions to unaccountable private entities.
From Public Service to Private Profit
At the heart of the scandal is the seamless movement of individuals from powerful public roles into lucrative private sector positions. The report identifies key figures who have transitioned from shaping government policy to profiting from its implementation, blurring the lines between public duty and private gain.
This raises serious questions about transparency and accountability, as these consultants operate with little public scrutiny, despite their significant influence over policies affecting millions of citizens.
A System in Crisis
The findings suggest that this reliance on consultants is a symptom of a deeper crisis within the British state. It indicates a hollowing out of internal expertise within the civil service, making the government dependent on expensive outside help for its most basic functions.
Ultimately, the report paints a picture of a broken system where taxpayer money is funnelled to a privileged few, undermining public trust and raising alarms about who truly controls the levers of power in modern Britain.
