"The public sector is notably tighter in terms of growth. Brexit is absorbing a lot of time and energy, and that’s taking investment away from other areas." Andrew Hooke, PA Consulting.

Public sector consulting market growth slowed in 2017, with revenues increasing just 3% from 4.3% in 2016. The mid-year election and heightened political tension did little to relieve clients’ reluctance to kick off new projects amid the ongoing uncertainty over Brexit.

Local government initiatives and projects that were planned or started before the UK voted to leave the EU continued. National clients, however, became increasingly reluctant to begin new work, with the ongoing uncertainty over the final Brexit deal hampering clients’ ability to make preparations and thus limiting the number of opportunities available for consultants.