The Conservative Party has explained how it plans to make efficiency savings worth £6bn in the current financial year if it wins power at the general election.

Today, the party’s efficiency adviser Sir Peter Gershon (pictured) said these savings could be made by taking steps including tougher controls on recruitment and stopping major spending on IT projects. The freeze on recruitment – which the party says is targeted at not replacing staff that leave – would free up the government to sell off unused buildings.

Labour and the Liberal Democrats said the freeze on recruitment could cost as many as 40,000 public sector jobs.

Gershon said £2bn-£4bn could be saved by stopping spending on major IT projects, while tougher controls on recruitment could save £1bn-£2bn. Cutting back office functions could save up to £2.5bn in the first year. However, Gershon did not put a figure on the potential savings from property.

Last month, Public Property UK reported that Conservative adviser Martin Read said the Conservatives should look to vacate 10% of its property in the first year of government, if they came to power.

The party would also look to save £6bn by reversing Gordon Brown’s proposed increase in national insurance.

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