Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, with reference to the table under section 2.10 of his Department's Annual Report and Accounts for 2013-14, what the reasons are for the change in spending between 2012-13 and 2013-14 on (a) consultancy and (b) contingent labour.

Departmental expenditure on consultancies and contingent labour (temporary staff) for 2013-14 was £8.2m and £10.2m respectively (including Non- Departmental Public Bodies).

Spend on consultancy increased in 2013-14 due to increased activity on project areas including the new nuclear contract and the renewables obligations under contracts for difference.

Spend on contingent labour was up because of increased demands on the department, which couldn’t be met in the short term through recruitment.