 |
answer text |
<p><del class="ministerial">I refer my Noble Lord to the answer as given for <strong>HL4840</strong></del></p><p>
</p><p><ins class="ministerial">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.</ins></p><p> </p><p>
</p><p> </p><p><ins class="ministerial">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.</ins></p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><ins class="ministerial">(1) Staff time</ins></p><p> </p><p><ins
class="ministerial"><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></ins></p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><ins class="ministerial"><strong>(2) Printing costs</strong></ins></p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><ins class="ministerial"><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. This figure was a partial figure, covering the printing of
some, but not all, reports across the whole review. </strong></ins></p><p> </p><p>
</p><p> </p><p><ins class="ministerial"><strong>(3) Running of Engagement events</strong></ins></p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><ins class="ministerial"><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></ins></p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><ins class="ministerial"><strong>(4) Witness </strong></ins></p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><ins class="ministerial"><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></ins></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><ins
class="ministerial"><strong>(5) Publicity</strong></ins></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><ins
class="ministerial"><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></ins></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><ins class="ministerial"><strong>(6)
All other associated costs</strong></ins></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><ins class="ministerial"><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></ins></p><p>
</p><p><ins class="ministerial"><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></ins></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><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
|
|
