one-time and recurring expenses for software and software licenses
| Authority | Cabinet Office |
|---|---|
| Date received | 2026-03-03 |
| Outcome | Some information sent but not all held |
| Outcome date | 2026-03-05 |
| Case ID | 5342611 |
Summary
The requester asked for 2025 software expenses including one-time purchases, recurring licenses, and external assistance costs for all government departments. The Cabinet Office disclosed that no one-time purchases were made, but provided specific figures for recurring software expenses and external assistance costs.
Key Facts
- No one-time software purchases were made by any department in 2025 as all products are renewed annually.
- Total recurring software expenses for the 2025 calendar year were £8,680,561.21.
- Expenses for external assistance related to software licenses amounted to £278,239.83.
- The request was clarified to exclude consultancy, professional services, and inter-governmental support.
- The response was issued by the Cabinet Office on 5 March 2026.
Data Disclosed
- 2025
- £8,680,561.21
- £278,239.83
- 2026-03-03
- 2026-03-05
- 5342611
Original Request
How much are the total expenses for all Departments for the purchase of one-time software in 2025, how much are the recurring expenses for all Departments for software and software licenses in 2025, as well as the expenses for assistance from entities external to the government of the Island. On 03 March 2026, we wrote to you to request clarification on your request. We asked "where you have requested 'expenses for assistance from entities external to the government of the Island' is this to be interpreted as referring solely to costs associated with externally supplied software licences, and exclude other forms of external assistance such as consultancy, professional services or inter-governmental support? " On 03 March 2026 you replied as follows: "I was meaning only the costs associated with externally supplied software licences and you can exclude other forms of external assistance such as consultancy, professional services or inter-governmental support".
Data Tables (1)
Data Tables (reformatted)
| Expense Category | Amount (£) |
|---|---|
| Recurring software expenses (2025) | 8,680,561.21 |
| External assistance expenses (2025) | 278,239.83 |
Full Response Text
Government Office
Douglas
Isle of Man
IM1 3PN
Telephone: (+44) 01624 686244
Website: www.gov.im/co
Our ref: 5342611 5 March 2026
Dear ###
We write further to your request, received 3 March 2026, which states:
"How much are the total expenses for all Departments for the purchase of one-time software in 2025, how much are the recurring expenses for all Departments for software and software licenses in 2025, as well as the expenses for assistance from entities external to the government of the Island.”
On 03 March 2026, we wrote to you to request clarification on your request. We asked if you could clarify that where you have requested 'expenses for assistance from entities external to the government of the Island' whether this to be interpreted as referring solely to costs associated with externally supplied software licences, and exclude other forms of external assistance such as consultancy, professional services or inter-governmental support.
On 03 March 2026 you replied as follows:
"I was meaning only the costs associated with externally supplied software
licences and you can exclude other forms of external assistance such as
consultancy, professional services or inter-governmental support.”
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Cabinet Office does not hold some of the information that you have requested. This is because no one-time software purchases for the period were made. All software products are renewed annually. In respect of the other aspects of your request, Cabinet Office can confirm the following: • Recurring software expenses for the 2025 calendar year amounted to £8,680,561.21 • External assistance expenses amounted to £278,239.83
Please quote the reference number 5342611 in any future communications.
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I will now close your request as of this date.