Role of the Big Four in EU policymaking

Question for written answer  E-001833/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Julie Lechanteux (ID)

According to estimates made by Euractiv, disclosed on its site on 18 March 2021, the Commission spent more than EUR 462 million between 2016 and 2019 on contracts with PwC, KPMG, Deloitte and EY, the world’s leading financial audit and business consulting firms, known collectively as the ‘Big Four’.

Euractiv’s investigation reveals a potential conflict of interest, since the consultants are working in sectors in which they also advise private companies.

It found: ‘Between 2016 and 2019, both years included, KPMG received the biggest amount of EU funds, including the European Development Fund, (€154,84 million), followed by EY (€121,32 million), PwC (€93,77 million) and Deloitte (€92,28 million).’

The Commission contracted the Big Four to implement a series of structural reforms, including in the areas of justice, police and taxation, which are usually the preserve of sovereign states.

In view of the above, can the Commission provide us with the evidence it had when contracting the above-mentioned consulting firms to prove there was no conflict of interest?