Government department spends £1,200 on two folders
A government department spent nearly £1,200 of taxpayers’ money on two ministerial folders. Official data shows.
Meanwhile, Chancellor Rachel Reeves launched a crackdown on government waste.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport purchased the folders from luxury leather goods manufacturer Barrow Hepburn & Gale, priced at £594 each.
Other government departments often buy the same folders and ministerial red boxes from the company, which also supplies the royal family.
The leather bound folder is available from the House of Commons store for £30.
But sources said the extra spending was justified to boost the government’s image.
Government sources added that ministerial folders are meant to last for many years and are used by successive ministers, with replacement ordered only when required.
Rachel Reeves, who also uses Barrow Hepburn & Gale’s red boxes and folders, has ordered the government department to show how she can save 5 per cent a year.
The DCMS spending on the folders is dated October 29, the day before Reeves’ first Budget, with details revealed as the chancellor sets out the next phase of his spending review.
Asked whether Sir Keir Starmer would consider the spending to be excessive, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “It will be up to the departments to identify that 5% and they will be able to look line by line to ensure every penny of the government’s It’s all going into the budget. “Expenditure is being focused and delivering on the change programme.
“Departments will identify these savings through the spending review process to help eliminate waste and ensure all funding is focused on the priorities set out by the Prime Minister in his plan for change.”
A government spokesman said: “Our focus is on ensuring every pound of spending delivers the best value for taxpayers, while increasing investment in public services and delivering key growth projects”.
