Thursday 20 June 2013

Stephen Metcalfe MP urges the Government to cut Whitehall waste

Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, rose on the floor of the House of Commons yesterday to ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General what steps he is taking to reduce Whitehall waste.

Mr Metcalfe asked: “What steps will my right hon. Friend take to accelerate the pace of efficiency savings in Whitehall, and what further action will he take to slice out the accumulated waste of the previous Government?”

To which the Minister, Francis Maude MP replied: “I was able to announce a couple of weeks ago that in the last financial year, 2012-13, we made over £10 billion of efficiency savings. It is a pity that it has taken so long to get on with this. If the present Leader of the Opposition had started on the process when he was in my position, the country’s public finances would now be in a much better state.”

Mr Metcalfe later commented: “It is imperative that the Government are good stewards of tax payers money and this naturally involves reducing inefficient spending in Whitehall departments.” 

“Under the previous Labour Government there was a culture of wastefulness and frivolous spending. I am pleased that this Government is tackling this, bringing some order and discipline to Government Departments and therefore ensuring that the hard earned money of people in South Basildon and East Thurrock is spent wisely.”