§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give figures for the years 1982–83, 1983–84, 1984–85 and 1985–86 of (a) the cost of the Civil Service and (b) the average cost for each civil servant; and if he will break down the average cost for each civil servant into pay, national insurance, superannuation, and other costs, such as office space, heating, lighting, car allowance, travel allowance.
§ Mr. MacGregorCivil Service running costs were rigorously scrutinised during the 1986 survey and agreed plans were reported in the 1987 Public Expenditure White Paper (Cmnd. 56). Although there were significant reductions in manpower numbers during the period 1982–83 to 1985–86, not all the related costs (such as accommodation) can be expected to reduce at the same rate. Cost per head figures should be viewed in that light. The following running costs per head figures are based on the financial and manpower figures published in Cmnd. 56.
1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 £ million £ million £ million £ million Departmental running costs1 9,094 10,499 11,155 11,703 Staff totals (average staff in post): Civil Service (excluding trading funds)2 630,600 611,100 596,000 590,400 Armed forces3 58,000 58,000 58,000 58,000 Northern Ireland Civil Service 26,200 25,500 25,000 25,000 Running costs per £ £ £ £ head 12,722 415,115 16,429 17,379 1 Departmental running costs comprise pay costs, personnel overheads, accommodation costs, office services. They do not include notional accruing pensions liability, pensions in payment or capital expenditure. 2 Trading funds are subject to separate financial control and are not included in running costs. 3 The pay of armed forces personnel engaged in headquarters and support activities is included in running costs. 4 The large increase between 1982–83 and 1983–84 is due mainly to the introduction of repayment for accommodation services. Because of changes in the coverage of running costs the breakdown of these costs to the level of detail requested by my hon. Friend is only available on a consistent basis for 1984–85 and 1985–86. In considering a breakdown of total running costs account needs to be taken not only of the full-time staff shown above but also of usage of overtime and casual staff, ie man years of input. The figures shown in the table are based on the latest breakdown of the outturns on running costs for the two years: 610W
1984–85 1984–86 £ £ Running costs per man year 14,960 15,641 Costs per man year of main components: Pay costs 8,742 9,216 Personnel overheads 1,244 1,306 Accommodation costs 2,684 2,833 Office services 965 1,088 Other services 1,324 1,195