Unison has criticised Transport for London (TfL) for spending millions on consultants at the same time that 'thousands' of rank-and-file staff face the sack.

TfL has a £2.6 billion black hole to fill, but figures have come to light showing just one department - Congestion Charging and Traffic Enforcement - spent £5.4 million on consultants from Deloitte in 2008/9.
 
Unison general secretary David Prentice said: "If one small department is wasting £5.4 million on consultants each year then the total spent by TfL must be colossal. TfL cannot be serious about saving money if it can afford million pound spending sprees on consultants. TfL bosses should be valuing their loyal, permanent staff, not boosting the profits of large multinational companies."
 
Daily rates paid to Deloitte range from £2,761 for a partner, £2,438 for a director, £2,119 for a senior manager, £1,732 for a manager, £1,348 for a senior consultant, £962 for a consultant and £705 for an analyst.
 
A TfL band 1 permanent employee is paid £22,808 per year, or £87 per day.
 
Deloitte told HR magazine that it was not commenting on the issue.