§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much has been spent by the Child Support Agency in changing its logo, separately identifying the costs of(a) new stationery, (b) signage and (c) designing the new logo; what agencies were involved in this work; when the decision was taken to change the logo; and what involvement Ministers had in this decision. [10966]
§ Mr. Andrew MitchellThe administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Miss Ann Chant CB. She will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Mr. Brian Donohoe, dated 3 February 1997:
I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the Child Support Agency logo.The basic answer to your question is that costs will be reduced as a result of this change.The new Child Support Agency corporate identity was introduced following approval by the Agency Board in July 1996. The decision fell within the Agency's authority given that we met Departmental standards of procurement and compliance with DSS corporate identity restrictions but Ministers were made aware of the change in the course of normal discussions on operational issues.The new logo has been in use since 4 November 1996 but changes to our stationery will only be made as existing stocks fall to be reprinted. There have therefore been no additional stationery costs. Indeed, as the new logo (unlike the old one) only uses two standard colours, can easily be altered in size and copies and faxes very well, there will be substantial savings from its use, costed at a minimum of £60,000 per annum.The work to develop the new corporate identity was undertaken by the Agency in conjunction with the Central Office of Information. The cost was £2,427, and was met from within this year's existing publicity budget.As far as external signage goes, the costs have been met from this year's existing printing budget. The contract has been let under Departmental call-off contract arrangements and we have opted for the most economical solution of merely modifying the existing signage with an overlay rather than a full replacement. In due course, over 500 signs will be modified in this way, at a maximum cost of £40,000.