§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the progress made by his Department since 1999 in reducing sickness absence; what targets he has agreed with the Cabinet Office; and if he will make a statement. [135494]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 30 October 2000]: The Departmental targets are to reduce sickness absence to 7.8 days per staff year by end-2001 and 6.9 days per staff year by end-2003.
A range of measures to reduce sickness absence are currently being piloted with a view to roll-out throughout the core-Department. These will put in place Cabinet 48W Office "Best Practice" recommendations to manage and reduce sickness absence. Our Executive Agencies are introducing similar measures.