Tories boosted by free help from leading firms

Leading firms are providing services which would have cost almost £450,000 for free to the Conservative party, seen as strong favourites to win the general election.

Since the start of 2008, PricewaterhouseCoopers, KPMG have either provided staff or technical help to the Tories worth £292,697.68 and £106,103 respectively, the Independent reported.

Ernst & Young is set to provide a consultant to the Tory Party at a cost of £50,000 from August.

The news comes as firms continue to benefit from lucrative public sector work. Valuations of banks bailed out by the government have become a welcome revenue stream for some firms in recent months.