Labour MP Chris Bryant has launched a scathing attack on the UK government, accusing it of fostering a 'culture of waste' in Whitehall. The Rhondda MP highlighted the staggering £1.7 billion spent on temporary staff and consultants in 2022 alone, branding the expenditure as 'outrageous' during a time of economic hardship for many Britons.
Taxpayer Money 'Flushed Down the Drain'
Bryant revealed that one government department had paid an interim HR director £622,400 for just six months' work - equivalent to £15,000 per week. 'This is taxpayers' money being flushed down the drain,' the MP declared in his explosive intervention.
Call for Civil Service Reform
The former minister called for sweeping reforms to Whitehall's recruitment practices, suggesting:
- Strict caps on temporary staffing budgets
- Greater transparency in consultancy contracts
- Investment in permanent civil service training
Bryant warned that the current system creates a 'revolving door' where officials leave for lucrative private sector roles, only to return as highly-paid consultants.
Government Defends Spending
While the government acknowledged the need for efficiency, a spokesperson defended the use of temporary staff as 'necessary to deliver specialist projects and maintain flexibility.' However, Bryant countered that such spending undermines public trust at a time when essential services face funding pressures.
The MP's intervention comes amid growing scrutiny of Whitehall expenditure, with critics arguing that better long-term planning could reduce reliance on expensive short-term contracts.
