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<p>Around 2500 consultants from approximately 72 different consultancies have been
hired by the Department for any period from 1 March 2020 to the present day to undertake
work on the planning and then rollout of the NHS Test and Trace programme. The figures
have changed week on week since the programme began. Information how these figures
are apportioned between the planning and rollout phases is not held in an appropriate
format and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.</p><p>In financial year
20-21, £450 million is budgeted for Professional Services, which includes management
consultants. This was revised on 28 Feb 2021 from £438 million. We do not have an
audited figure which differentiates between what was spent on the planning and the
rollout stages of the Test and Trace Programme. Audited annual accounts will be published
later this year for the Test and Trace Programme.</p><p>Every consultancy contract
awarded by the Department contains a set of service objectives and activities which
the suppliers will deliver. These are set out in the individual contracts which are
published. The service objectives are linked to the overall programme plan and</p><p>business
objectives for the Test and Trace initiative. Each contract has a different timeframe
for the delivery and completion of its objectives; progress and performance is monitored
by regular meetings and engagement with the supplier.</p><p>£450 million of the £22
billion funding for Test and Trace, is allocated to ‘professional services’ which
includes management consultants. Audited annual accounts will be published later this
year for the Test and Trace Programme.</p>
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