KPMG, Deloitte, EY and PwC have collectively secured over £1.5bn in government contracts so far in 2026, according to an investigation by market intelligence platform Tussell. This comes despite the UK government's stated commitment to reduce spending on external consultants in order to save public money.
The findings highlight a contradiction between the government's cost-cutting ambitions and its actual procurement decisions. The Big Four firms continue to win substantial public sector work even as ministers have pledged to rein in consultant spending.