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<p>As you will be aware, the Balance of Competences Review concluded in December.
It was the most comprehensive analysis of the UK’s relationship with the EU ever undertaken.
The review involved a large number of Departments across Whitehall to produce 32 reports.
The Review was based on the evidence and views received through widespread consultation
with interested parties from across society. Across the whole review, departments
received close to 2,300 evidence submissions. Departments held over 250 events, attended
by around 2,100 stakeholders.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>It was important that
what is an unprecedented examination of EU membership was done with appropriate time
and care. But the government is also very conscious of the need to ensure value for
money in everything it does.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>(1) Staff time</p><p> </p><p><strong>Between
2012-2013, the Balance of Competences Review Team in the Department was staffed by
the equivalent of one Grade 7 (salary range £47, 545 - £55,882), and one intern (salary
range £23,869 – £27, 281) dedicating 100% of their time to the review to project manage
7 BIS led reports and 1 joint report. Between 2013 – 2014 this was reduced to one
Grade 7. Between 2012 – 2014 one Deputy Director (salary range £62,000 - £117,800)
dedicated 20% of their time as the senior reporting officer for the review. All other
work on the review was allocated, according to need, to existing staff within the
Department. Therefore, providing a full breakdown of staff time and costs would exceed
the disproportionate cost threshold.</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong>(2)
Printing costs</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong>Printing and publication
for the 8 Departmental reports, was coordinated centrally but paid for by the Department,
with the exception of the Single Market Report which was printed in-house. Printing
and publication costs for all 8 reports totalled £32,821.94. The costs for all 32
reports was £133, 053 </strong><ins class="ministerial"> This figure was a partial
figure, covering the printing of some, but not all, reports across the whole review.</ins></p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong>(3) Running of Engagement events</strong></p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong>Each policy team in the Department held a wide range
of engagement events over the 2 years; the department did not incur any costs for
the running of these events. The facilities for hosting these events were either provided
by other Government Departments or by business partners or were held on department
premises at no extra cost to the department. </strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong>(4)
Witness </strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong>From centrally held figures,
we understand that across the whole of the Balance of Competences Review witness expenses
amounted to approximately £2,255.00.</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong>(5)
Publicity</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong>The Department did not incur
any publicity costs as we published the reports and the call for evidence via email,
social media and the Government website.</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong>(6)
All other associated costs</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong>Between
2012 – 2014 the Department commissioned research and analysis to form part of the
literature review to provide the reports with legal analysis to ensure the reports
were neither too analytical or too speculative and political, but instead adhere to
the agreed treaties. The cost for all 8 reports was £108, 738.28. </strong></p><p>
</p><p><strong><br /> Department officials incurred some additional associated costs
due to travel to meetings and stakeholder events in the UK. Some officials also incurred
costs related to events in Brussels. We estimate that the additional travel costs
incurred amounted to less than £300.</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
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