To ask the Minister for Women and Equality how much the Equality and Human Rights Commission spent on consultants in 2008-09; and what project each consultant was engaged to work on. (258974)

The Equality and Human Rights Commission expects to spend £420,000 on consultants in the 2008-09 financial year. The consultancy projects were focused on the Commission’s organisational development and on ensuring EHRC had the necessary skills and means to deliver the Commission’s new three year strategic plan. The plan itself is due to be published in April 2009.