§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many working days have been lost in the Cabinet Office owing to(a) industrial action and (b) illness in each year since 1997. [93465]
§ Mr. AlexanderWorking days lost through industrial action are recorded as unauthorised absence for which pay is stopped. The Cabinet Office (including agencies) keeps records of unpaid absence generally but they also include authorised absence. Separating the records could be achieved only at disproportionate costs.
Sick absence figures for Government Departments are published annually in the report "Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service". The most recent report for calendar year 2001 was announced by Ministerial Statement 19 December 2002. Copies are available in the Libraries of the House. Figures for 2002 will be announced later this year.
Cabinet Office figures (including its agencies and non-departmental public bodies) are:
Days per staff year 1997 6.6 1998 7.3 1999 6.8 2000 4.6 2001 5.7