Rudderless reshuffle could cost taxpayers £60m

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

The Government is likely to spend an estimated £60 million of taxpayers’ money as it sets up four new Departments. 

Liberal Democrat analysis shows that the public money being spent on setting up new departments could pay for almost 25 million free school meals. That would equate to enough for a full year of free school meals for over 127,000 children.

The Liberal Democrats have blasted the move as a costly vanity project.

Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office Spokesperson Christine Jardine MP commented: 

“Rishi Sunak is looking weaker by the day, and this rudderless reshuffle is the latest proof. 

“This reshuffle will cost the public millions while failing to change the trajectory of this government in crisis. 

“Rather than fritter away tens of millions of taxpayers’ cash on costly vanity projects, Sunak should spend the money where it’s most needed. This cash could fund 25 million free school meals.”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS: 

The Institute for Government has estimated the cost of setting up a new government department at £15 million. 

The Government has announced the creation of four new departments: 

• Department for Energy Security and Net Zero,

• Department for Science, Innovation and Technology 

• Department for Business and Trade 

• Department for Culture, Media and Sport

• This will likely cost an estimated £60 million. 

The average cost of providing free school meals to one school pupil across a school year is £469.95, at a cost of £2.41 for 195 school days. (Gov.uk)

£60 million could pay for 127,673 children to have free school meals for an entire school year.