In a sweeping initiative aimed at reducing expenditure within the civil service, the UK government will suspend thousands of government procurement cards (GPCs) this week.

Pat McFadden, the Cabinet Office minister, announced the decision on Monday, revealing plans to freeze nearly all of the existing 20,000 GPCs with an intention to permanently eliminate at least half of them.

This action is part of a broader strategy to combat what the Labour government deems wasteful spending following the recent abolition of several organizations, including the Payment Systems Regulator and NHS England, resulting in an estimated reduction of around 10,000 jobs.

McFadden commented on the need for greater accountability: "We must ensure taxpayers’ money is spent on improving the lives of working people.

It’s not right that hundreds of millions of pounds are spent on government credit cards each year, without high levels of scrutiny or challenge.

Only officials for whom it is absolutely essential should have a card."

Government procurement cards are utilized by officials to purchase minor items including air travel, office furnishings, and refreshments for official events.

Originally introduced in 1997 by the then Labour government, the cards were intended to streamline procurement processes within Whitehall departments.

However, expenditures on these cards have dramatically increased in recent years, surging to £676 million over the last five years.

Reports indicate that this includes spending on non-essential items such as shoes and DJ equipment, raising concerns over fiscal responsibility.

The rise in GPC spending has drawn scrutiny from various quarters.

For instance, during his tenure, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson reportedly charged a lavish dinner costing £4,445 on a government card for 25 staff members in New York City.

Meanwhile, Liz Truss, in her capacity as Foreign Secretary, incurred expenses nearing £1,500 for dining at exclusive restaurants during a visit to Indonesia in 2021. Additional reports indicate that the Treasury spent over £3,000 on acquiring artwork from the Tate for its offices, although they had access to the government’s art collection.

Analysis of GPC usage revealed that foreign diplomatic service departments are among the highest spenders, necessitating regular functions to engage with international dignitaries.

Among the expenses noted was a reported £2,500 spent at a shoe store in Barbados.

Under the newly introduced regulations, hospitality spending limits will be reduced drastically from £2,500 to £500, requiring higher-level approval for any expenses exceeding this threshold.

Moreover, civil servants will be prohibited from utilizing GPCs for travel or office supplies, with bulk purchasing mandated instead.

The impending suspension will affect most of the 20,000 issued cards.

Exceptions will be made for select cases, notably diplomatic personnel working in high-risk environments.

To retain their cards, current holders must reapply, with unsuccessful applicants losing card access by the end of the month.

In tandem with the suspension announcements, McFadden has directed departments to identify any improperly executed spending and enforce disciplinary measures against responsible individuals.

The administration led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer is engaged in a broader reform of Whitehall's operational framework.

The government is advocating for enhanced utilization of technological advancements, including artificial intelligence, to drive down costs and streamline decision-making processes.

While the government emphasizes the need for efficiency, some experts have expressed concerns that these reorganizational efforts could impede civil servants’ ability to address critical government priorities, such as reducing NHS waiting lists.