Anti-waste hit squad will stop money being flushed down drain, vows Labour

28 February 2023 , 22:30

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Labour's Rachel Reeves wants to clamp down on waste (Image: Getty Images)

An anti-waste hit squad will be introduced by Labour to stop taxpayers’ cash being flushed down the drain, Rachel Reeves will pledge today.

With the government spending a trillion pounds this year, the Shadow Chancellor said even modest savings of 0.5% could see returns of £5billion.

Staff at the Office for Value for Money would comb through spending decisions and have powers to investigate government contracts.

The body would be able to independently publish its findings so voters could see how well ministers are using their money.

Labour last night published a dossier showing how £26.8billion was “wasted” during Rishi Sunak ’s time as chancellor and chief secretary to the Treasury.

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Rishi Sunak is accused of wasting taxpayer cash when he was chancellor (Tayfun Salci/ZUMA Press Wire/REX/Shutterstock)

It listed 100 examples of government spending that took place on his watch, including £271million on storage of unused PPE.

Almost £2.5million was spent on designing a successor to the Royal Yacht Britannia, but the project was scrapped after the Royal Family distanced themselves from it.

At least £2million went on the government’s plan to privatise Channel 4, which was also ditched following widespread criticism.

Ms Reeves said: “The British people deserve a government that will treat taxpayer money with respect.

“With our strong fiscal rules and our Office for Value for Money, Labour will root out waste and make our economy stronger.

“Today’s waste dossier is a badge of shame for the Prime Minister and his failing Tory government.

“Labour will treat every pound of taxpayer money with the respect it deserves.”

Conservative Party chairman Greg Hands last night dismissed the document as a "dodgy document" as he insisted: "Labour are unfit to govern."

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John Stevens