Government department spends £1,200 on two folders

A authorities section spent astir £1,200 of taxpayers' wealth connected 2 ministerial folders, official figures show.

It came arsenic Chancellor Rachel Reeves launched a crackdown connected authorities waste.

The Department for Culture Media and Sport bought the folders from luxury leather goods shaper Barrow Hepburn & Gale, astatine a outgo of £594 each.

Other authorities departments routinely bargain the aforesaid folders, and ministerial reddish boxes, from the company, which besides supplies the Royal Family.

Leather-bound papers holders are disposable successful the House of Commons store for £30.

But sources suggest the other disbursal is justified to heighten the representation of the government.

Rachel Reeves - who besides uses a Barrow Hepburn & Gale reddish container and folders - has ordered authorities departments to amusement however they tin marque yearly savings of 5%.

The DCMS spending connected the folders was dated 29 October - the time earlier Reeves's archetypal Budget - and details were revealed arsenic the chancellor acceptable retired the adjacent signifier of her spending review.

Asked if Sir Keir Starmer would see the spending excessive, the PM's authoritative spokesperson said: "It's going to beryllium up to departments to find this 5%, they'll beryllium capable to look line-by-line, marque definite each lb of authorities spending is being focused and delivering connected the program for change.

"It volition beryllium up to departments done the spending reappraisal process to place those savings to assistance thrust retired discarded and guarantee that each backing is focused connected the priorities that the premier curate acceptable retired successful the program for change."

The DCMS has been approached for comment.