Scottish councils have spent more than £67m on external consultants, according to the BBC. Figures obtained under a Freedom of Information request revealed a 30% rise on the previous year. Edinburgh was revealed as the biggest spender, with a figure of £8.2m for 2006-07. North Lanarkshire came in second at £7.1m, and Highland was a close third with £7m. A spokesman for Edinburgh City Council said using consultants often ‘saved money in the long run'.
