Finance Committee (Commons)

The Finance Committee’s Savings Inquiry (2025-11-25) scrutinised how Parliament plans to make cost savings across Strategic Estates, IT and catering, with emphasis on transparency, value-for-money, and delivery of a bold savings programme. Key commitments include replacing the 22-year-old finance system by 2027 (design start in autumn 2025, market in spring 2026, provider appointed and system replaced by end-2027), and forming a joined-up plan linking strategy, savings, and workforce plans for Committee sign‑off in early 2026. Witnesses stressed transparency on procurement costs (e.g., Victoria Tower tender costs and Peers’ Entrance security cost) and stated that tender-cost disclosures would be pursued where appropriate, including after contract award. The Inquiry highlighted large estate expenditure, described headcount growth driven by new activities (notably Parliamentary Security, Parliamentary Digital Service, and Strategic Estates), and outlined savings options such as capitalising staff costs and space-management (Tothill Street) including mothballing, subletting, or early exit. There were clear concerns about labour-cost pressures in catering, ongoing security expenditure, and the challenge of delivering break-even for catering, while also emphasising a culture of value-for-money and measurable outcomes for savings and digital initiatives. The session concluded with requests to publish security-capital costs (where possible) and to provide a private briefing on Derby Gate/New Palace Yard costs, alongside a request to bring forward budget plans in a single, joined-up package for Commission decisions in January–February 2026.