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<p>The following table provides the total published consultancy expenditure for the
core Department and its four executive agencies*, covering financial years 2010-11
to 2016-17:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Financial Year</p></td><td><p>Expenditure
(£m)</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010-11</p></td><td><p>6.5</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011-12</p></td><td><p>6.1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012-13</p></td><td><p>10.9</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013-14</p></td><td><p>9.0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014-15</p></td><td><p>19.6</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015-16</p></td><td><p>27.6</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016-17</p></td><td><p>50.0</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>
</p><p>Expenditure for the current financial year would be published at a future date,
and is therefore not included in the above table.</p><p> </p><p>We are unable to answer
the second part of your request as this information it is not held centrally and could
only be obtained at disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p><p>The increased expenditure
levels from 2014-15 result from the progression of a number of large infrastructure
projects such as Thameslink, Crossrail and Intercity Express, plus increased activity
linked to HS2, requiring additional legal and technical expertise which is not held
internally within the Department. The increase is a reflection of Government’s commitment
to provide the biggest investment in transport infrastructure in generations. All
consultancy contracts are competitively tendered to ensure value for money and every
effort is made to transfer skills to permanent staff and ensure reduced reliance on
external contractors.</p><p>*DfT's executive agrencies are: Driver & Vehicle Licensing
Agency, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Maritime & Coastguard Agency, Vehicle
Certification Agency</p>
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