Amid financial turmoil, a spark of hope for those in government. The Tories are planning to ride to the rescue of demoralised Whitehall and drive out some of the legions of highly paid management consultants who have colonised government, often usurping the role of civil servants. First hint of the plan came at the Tory conference this week when George Osborne, shadow chancellor, promised to freeze council tax for two years - paid for by cutting government spending on advertising and consultants. Now I learn that leading Tories intend this to be more than a mere cost-cutting exercise.

"I have been shocked by the erosion of Whitehall's core capacity," says David Willetts, shadow cabinet minister. "It's coming to something when even the national literacy strategy is done by outside consultants. Our plan to cut spending on consultants is partly a strategy for strengthening the civil service."