§ Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many members of his staff in each of the past two years have been granted a day's paid leave to work as a volunteer; and if he will make a statement. [39734]
§ Angela EagleA survey of Home Office staff for the year ending 31 April 2001 showed that 78 staff had taken paid leave to volunteer.
The Home Office is the lead Government Department for the active community initiative. Staff can take paid leave for volunteering in certain public capacities, for example school governors up to six days, magistrates up to 18 days. Staff can also take up to five days paid leave a year for any other voluntary activity.
A Volunteering Manager has recently been appointed, seconded from the voluntary sector, to actively promote volunteering among Home Office staff, ensure that a wide 1103W range of opportunities are available, monitor participation and evaluate the benefits to the individual and the Department.