New evidence reveals a continuing decline in local authorities' use of consulting services, with spend plummeting by between 10% to 40% in the last six months, according to a survey from Sourceforconsulting.com.

Where councils do commission consultants, their preference for specialist SME firms, which account for more than half (53%) of expenditure, bucks the trend in the private sector, where such companies have a mere 11% share. Demand proved strongest in providers offering improved operational performance and IT consultancy.