Key facts
- KPMG and EY secured contracts totaling up to £456 million for civil servant training.
- KPMG's contract is worth £319 million, and EY's is worth £137 million.
- Total government spending on Big Four contracts decreased to £1.2 billion this year from £1.3 billion in 2024.
- The Cabinet Office aims to halve consultancy spend.
Big Four firms have secured over £1.5 billion in UK government contracts this year, an increase from the previous year. This comes despite the current government's commitment to reducing spending on external consultants. The recent awards include significant training contracts for civil servants, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence, set to run from 2026 to 2028. KPMG and Ernst & Young (EY) were awarded a combined total of up to £456 million for these training services, with KPMG handling the larger portion. The Cabinet Office clarified that these training awards are not classified as consulting spending and represent maximum potential values rather than guaranteed outlays. Data from Tussell indicates that overall government spending on Big Four contracts has seen a slight decrease, falling to £1.2 billion this year from £1.3 billion in 2024, as the government aims to halve its consultancy expenditure.