Budget 2010: Department for Transport Contribution to Operational Efficiency and Smarter Government Savings

The Budget has today reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to making £11bn of savings a year by 2012/13 from efficiency and streamlining the centre of Government. 

The £11bn of savings will contribute to halving net borrowing and protecting key public services.  The savings will come following the work of the Operational Efficiency Programme and Putting the Frontline First: Smarter Government.[1] 

DfT will meet this target through a range of activities, including:

• £40m from streamlining back office functions across finance, HR and procurement;

• £30m from reducing spending on consultancies;

• £15m from reducing spending on marketing and communications;

• £5m from the senior civil service pay freeze and reduction in sickness absence for all staff across the department.

In addition to these savings, DfT also expects the Highways Agency to save a further £90m by 2012/2013 as a result of more efficient highways maintenance and renewals through longer-term planning.

The Department for Transport is committed to delivering the significant savings necessary and is making real progress through ambitious efficiency and value for money plans.