§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what regional organisation her Department has; and if she will list the counties and unitary authorities in each region in(a) 1997 and (b) 2002. [58944]
§ Mr. Ivan LewisThe Department for Education and Skills works at the regional level through the Government offices for the regions. There are nine Government offices in England: south-east, south-west, London, east of England, East Midlands, West Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber, north-west, and north-east. The Government offices are funded by nine sponsor Departments: the Department for Education and Skills; the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions; the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; the Department of Trade and Industry; the Department for Work and Pensions; the Home Office; the Department for Culture, Media and Sport; the Department of Health; and Cabinet Office. The Regional Co-ordination Unit based in the Cabinet Office has overall responsibility for the Government office network.
1059WThe Department commissions Government offices to deliver a range of regionally focused services across the DfES agenda from early years to adult learning. Government offices also ensure that the Department's work is joined up with the regional implementation of programmes and policies of all sponsor Departments, and with the work of regional stakeholders.