Written question asked by Neale Hanvey (Alba Party) on Monday, 7 February 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 9 February 2022. It was answered by Maggie Throup (Conservative) on Thursday, 24 March 2022 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

NHS Test and Trace: Consultants

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to reduce the reliance and expenditure on consultants in providing NHS Track and Trace.

Answer: The UK Health Security Agency produced a workforce strategy in July 2021 detailing plans to reduce the use of consultancy services and increase the proportion of civil servants employed by the organisation. Reducing the number of management consultants is balanced with the delivery of national priorities, ensuring the sustainable handover of critical knowledge and managing recruitment into highly skilled roles. In 2021/22, reductions in the number of consultants has produced a saving of £100 million.

Secondary information