Report comment

9.03, £2m to do what though? Certainly not to sort out these financially troubled organisations. The consultants' role is twofold - information gathering prior to a merger and some programme management around savings plans in the meantime. Using these consultants to do this is expensive, but it makes Matthew Kershaw's job easier.

The real work of turning round these organisations will continue with the existing staff and the new team that comes in - not by consultants.