article_snippet.sent: The details of consultant spending sparked outrage among backbench Tories who have opposed the aid target.
article_snippet.sent: The Department for International Development said The Department for International Development uses private sector companies as well as charities to deliver aid projects if private sector companies as well as charities to deliver aid projects were the best placed to do the job.
article_snippet.sent: But officials insisted that spending on external consultants giving advice to The Department for International Development had fallen.
article_snippet.sent: A spokesman said: ‘DfID has slashed spending on external consultancy and advisory services by 98.9 per cent since 2009, down to just £200,000 last year, but we rightly continue to use the private sector where it delivers aid projects on the ground that are effective and the best value for money.
article_snippet.sent: The coalition aid commitment – meant Dfid was required to spent some £11.46 billion in 2013..
article_snippet.sent: Given the limited time available The Department for International Development could only choose activities where funds could be paid out during 2013.