Councils spent £420m on senior interim roles in 2022–23, with costs projected to rise to £483m by 2026 due to inflation and reorganisation. Typical daily rates range from £600–£850 for Heads of Service, £750–£900 for Assistant Directors, £900–£1,200 for Executive Directors, and up to £1,500 for Chief Executives. Agency margins average 23%, adding significant cost. Nationally, margins could reach £111m annually, with recruiters earning £11m–£22m in commission.