Data Series (Hansard, 19 July 1999)

§ Mr. Meale

In September 1998 the central core of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions commissioned diversity consultants Pearn Kandola to conduct an independent evaluation of the Performance Management and Appraisal System. This work involved an analysis of performance and promotion markings of grades below the Senior Civil Service by gender; ethnic origin; disability, and part-time/full-time status. A copy of the report is available in the Library.

In the Department's Executive Agencies the following specific projects have been commissioned: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) commissioned Dr. Marie Stewart of Taylor Stewart Associates to review the application of their equal opportunities policies in two offices in the Agency's Local Office Network. This work 380W commenced in early 1999 and included a review of statistical information by gender, race, disability and part-time working patterns. The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) have undertaken two internal surveys of their staff during 1999 on ethnicity and disability. During 1997, the Highways Agency audited its previous appraisal system to ensure that it was fair regardless of gender, ethnicity and disability. In 1998 the Institute of Employment Studies were commissioned to produce a report as a result of the review on the introduction of the new appraisal system. Analysis included distribution of performance markings by gender and ethnicity. In the same year, the pay and reward team conducted an audit of performance pay and bonuses which included data on gender, ethnicity and disability. The Planning Inspectorate conducted a staff attitude survey which was categorized by gender and disability.

DETR(C) and the Department's Executive Agencies continue to use their own management information systems to produce statistics by gender, ethnicity, disability and part-time/full-time status on an annual basis.