Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what proportion of contracts for consulting services awarded by departments and arm's-length bodies in each of the past five years were (1) let through competitive tendering processes, and (2) were direct awards.

Details of central government contracts above £12,000 for procurements commenced before 24 February 2025 are published on Contracts Finder. Contracts procured under the Procurement Act 2023 above £12,000 inc VAT are published on the Central Digital Platform Find a Tender service. The details published online include whether each contract was let through competitive tendering or via direct award.

Conducting a detailed analysis of contracts awarded, specifically tailored to the parameters requested, would incur a disproportionate cost to the department.